Thomas Partey labels Arsenal teammate Granit Xhaka a great player

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Thomas Partey has lauded Granit Xhaka as a great player – in comments reported by Football London – in a show of support following the Arsenal midfielder’s mistake at the weekend. 

Xhaka came in for criticism on Saturday after making an error that played its part in costing Arsenal a win at Burnley.

The Swiss collected the ball from Bernd Leno as he ran back into his own penalty area. Rather than immediately send the ball out to the right flank however, Xhaka took a touch before then attempting to lift a pass out of danger.

Unfortunately, Xhaka got the execution all wrong and his pass ended up in the back of the net after hitting Chris Wood.

Obviously, the 28-year-old has not always had the easiest time in North London. So he could have certainly done without gifting the Clarets their equaliser.

But ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Olympiakos, £45 million man Partey insisted that his teammate retains his full support.

“I think he’s a great player. We all know he works hard for the club, he works hard for the mates when he’s on the pitch,” he said, as reported by Football London.

“We have to keep raising each other, keep fighting for each other, and that’s how we are going to have a good game. It doesn’t matter who we play with, we have to do our best.”

It was a big error. But, as Arteta noted after the game, attempting to be safe in possession does not always work either.

He pointed out that Burnley’s next best chance came from Leno playing the ball long (via Football London). And of course, Arsenal may well have still won the game had they received the penalty they surely earned during the second-half.

Xhaka does not need reminding of how costly his mistake was. And having bounced back from several setbacks before, there is every reason to believe that he will make amends once again moving forward.