Thomas Partey suggests he’s ready to make Arsenal debut this weekend

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Thomas Partey has told Arsenal’s official website that he is prepared should Mikel Arteta decide to hand him his debut this weekend.

The Gunners face a potentially-daunting fixture on their return to action following the international break. They travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City on Saturday.

Arteta’s team selection will obviously be particularly important. And one dilemma he will have to contend with is whether to pick Partey following his move to North London.

The 27-year-old has been an Arsenal player for just over a week. However, he has barely had a chance to get to know his new teammates having been away with Ghana.

So it may not be a straightforward decision over whether to use Partey against Pep Guardiola’s side. But when asked about the prospect of potentially coming up against Kevin De Bruyne, the Gunners man seemed to make it clear that he would be ready if needed.

“Well, it’s the decision of Mikel,” he told Arsenal’s official website. “I just arrived. For me, I’m prepared but I need to get used to the style of play before I can play.”

It will please Arteta that Partey is raring to go. But he will be wary of throwing him in before he is ready. As Partey himself notes, he needs to learn the system.

The dream for Arsenal fans would surely be for Partey to make his debut and produce a masterclass that sets the Gunners on their way to a win.

But if Arteta deems Saturday’s game to be too soon, there will undoubtedly still be plenty of time ahead for Partey to prove a game-changing signing for Arsenal.