Arsenal opinion: The Gunners have to make a move for Thomas Partey
The sheer fact that Arsenal conceded 51 goals in the Premier League shows just why the club needs to change things up. If they ever want a bonafide chance of making it back amongst the Premier League’s elite sides, they have to do so.
Once a mainstay in the top four, the North London side have fallen off their perch in recent years. They have had issues all over the field but the defence has been their biggest problem, and that has seen them finish 5th, 6th and 5th in the last three seasons respectively.
Time and the change in the Premier League spending has not treated the self-sustaining club well. They do have other issues off the field but it hasn’t affected them before.
But as mentioned, the spending in the Premier League has changed, thanks to Manchester City, Manchester United and even Liverpool in recent years.
Arsenal are looking to catch up to the others but now with transfer fees breaking records, it will be tough for them. But with the club in the Europa League final, it allows them a chance to significantly boost their transfer budget with a win.
While that may be easier said than done, it’s something the club has to do especially if they are to add quality reinforcements. Players like Thomas Partey have to be signed, with Football.London reporting that Arsenal are amongst the top sides in the race for the Atletico Madrid midfielder.
While the additions of Sokratis, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi have changed Arsenal, they need more. They need a no-nonsense defensive midfielder and someone who can also help dictate the play by sitting just ahead of the back-line.
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That more than anything else in the world defines Thomas Partey. While the 25-year-old has been at Atletico Madrid for most of his life, it’s only this season that he has truly started to emerge. A defensive wall, Partey doesn’t do too much offensively but moves the ball around well.
That’s what Arsenal need at the moment and the 25-year-old’s versatility to play as a right-back, centre-back and his preferred defensive midfield, also adds to his value. Furthermore the fact that he only has a €50million release clause according to Marca, which makes it a mouth-watering move.
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Conclusion
A defensive behemoth, Thomas Partey would be a massive coup by Arsenal and alongside Lucas Torreira, the two would become a defensive wall.
It would allow the likes of Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette to do what they do best without worrying about any defensive workload.