Ray Parlour urges caution on Arsenal player with ‘attributes like Patrick Vieira’

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Ray Parlour has told TalkSport via Metro that Thomas Partey could be a big player in the Patrick Vieira mould at Arsenal – but urged supporters not to get carried away.

The former right-midfielder was impressed with the midfielder as the Gunners came from behind to beat Rapid Vienna 2-1 in the Europa League.

Partey made a big-money move from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal in the summer, with Mikel Arteta making the player his primary target.

Parlour was impressed with his contribution and think he’s exactly what Arsenal have missed in recent seasons.

He told Talk Sport, via Metro: “He’s got a really good presence and I don’t think they’ve had that in midfield.

“He’s got the mobility in the midfield area and he had a really good game.

“You can see he’s got all the attributes to be like a Patrick Vieira.

“If he gets anywhere near Patrick Vieira, we’ve had a right result as Arsenal fans.

“They knew exactly what they were buying there, a very strong player which we’ve lacked in that area.”

Parlour did advise Arsenal fans to remain cautious, however, given the quality of last night’s opposition.

The former invincible thinks Partey will still have to prove himself against a better quality of opposition.

He continued: “Let’s not get carried away, let’s give him a chance and wait until we’re playing the big sides like Manchester City and Liverpool and see how he can boss the midfield then.

“If he can do it then, then we can say: ‘Right, we’ve got a proper player here!'”

TBR View – Parlour right to err on the side of caution

Arsenal fans are naturally delighted that Partey has been added and he is a decent player.

Having never experienced life in the Premier League though, time will tell whether he will have the same impact as he did in Spain.

Partey doing it against Rapid Vienna was, to be fair, expected. Doing it against the elite clubs in the Premier League will offer a true reflection.