Thomas Partey says the fitness struggles that have hampered him throughout his time at Arsenal are out of his control but he’s doing his best to stay fit for what is likely to be his final season at the Emirates.
The Ghana international has entered the final year of his contract and despite the club hawking him to potential suitors, most notably in Saudi Arabia, it’s looking increasingly likely he’ll stick things out in north London with a view to becoming a free agent.
Partey missed a significant chunk of last season with a hamstring issue leaving Jorginho and new signing Declan Rice to juggle responsibilities at the base of midfield. The pair did well with the former even earning himself a new contract despite his veteran status.
If Arsenal’s reported interest in Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino proves correct, the 31-year-old will face even stiffer competition for a starting place come August. He insists it’s something he welcomes.
“I’m doing my best to stay more consistent and fit and I think it’s an everyday job and I don’t need to give up, I have to keep going because it’s the only option I have,” he told Hayters after Sunday’s friendly with Bournemouth.
“In life, things happen. Sometimes you cannot control [injuries]. So I have to keep going, keep fighting. Every time I fall, I have to come back. And I think that’s the mentality I have. And also any time I can help the team, I do all my best.”
“We have a lot of players in that [central] position. Jorgi is playing good, I’m playing good, Dec is there, Martin also. And I think we also have other players that can come in and show the difference.
“We have to compete against each other. And at the end of the day, it’s the Mister [Arteta] that decides. With this competition, the team can get to the higher level that we want to be.
“I think this will help the team. When there is more competition in the team, the level of the team gets higher and we have to maintain that intensity, that level.”
Partey also says he and his teammates still carry the disappointment of last season’s close-run title challenge.
“We still have it [the disappointment] in us. We know it hurts a lot when you are not able to get the results that we need at the end of the season,” he said.
“Now we are going to a new season, we have to be fresh, we have to make sure we don’t do the same mistakes we did last year and focus on each game every day and our mentality has to be a winning mentality every time.”
A fully fit Thomas Partey is a top, top player. Question marks remain on his ability to get to previous levels but I don’t mind him sticking around for one more season. Partey, Timber, Tomiyasu and Jesus were never fully there last season and I expect positive surprises simply by keeping them fully fit this season.
Benny Blanco and Dec are never going to relinquish their starting XI positions to nobody, I can tell you.
I am not sure it would take them relinquishing their starting xi positions for the aforementioned guys to impact the fortunes of the team positively.
Besides, there is no guarantee they will have another injury free season. So, having quality players ready to step in here and there can only be a good thing.
Two best players at their positions in the league. I certainly hope not
He’s regressed a lot from that player. We haven’t seen him be that player in over a year. It’s not his fault, he’s doing his best, but he has reached the end of his prime. This will be his 13th season of top flight football, played a position of intense physical demand. This is about the time midfielders like this can fall off a cliff. Remember Fabinho? Thiago Alcantara? Pretty much any central midfielder will fade into their year 12+ top flight season. That’s the natural history. TP5 is there. He’s sticking around in what should be a limited squad… Read more »
I thought Partey was excellent when he came back in the 5-0 win against Chelsea. In a game where everyone played well he really stood out to me and was my man of the match. I think even if he is no longer able to sustain that kind of level across a season, just a few such performances peppered throughout could make a big difference. With a good pre season under his belt we may even yet be treated to more of him at his best than we realise.
I hope you’re right but I doubt it. You need rhythm as a central midfielder and for that you have to play regularly. Not like an attacker who can come off the bench and make an impact occasionally. CM is no country for old men, even the best of the best.
Respectfully disagree – TP plays, we are on another level. His performance levels have not declined. The real question is can we keep him fit?! His injury record continues to be a concern. But he wont be leaving this season, no club will take on his current wages with one year left on his contract.
The dole queue is becoming longer & longer. Hope you enjoy your 200k+ / week.
How much per week Rammy is enjoying without playing? Not Rammy’s fault at all, same for others.
Buster – “I didn’t even know we were calling him Rammy”
Gob – (while sobbing) We never had the chance.
19 out of 20 people will have no idea what I’m going on about.
Let’s hope Tobias isn’t his therapist.
There’s always money in the banana stand
Yes!!!
Look at banner Mikel
I’d be very comfortable with him staying for another season. I was fortunate enough to be at the stadium for the recent 5 0 demolition of Chelsea, and I liked what I saw in that midfield area. The TP/DR/MØ combo could be very effective
I would’ve agreed with you about 6 months ago. But I do think he’s lost a yard of pace and sharpness. I feel like we could well be witnessing a sharp decline in his athleticism.
I’d be more inclined to get his wages off the budget sheet and move away from T5. But there doesn’t seem much excitement about him in the market and he’s apparently content to stay.
So I suppose we can just hope he stays fit and can help out when needed.
I wouldn’t judge him by how he looked coming back from a long injury last season. Curious how he looks in preseason so far, if we receive a great offer for him we should probably take it but otherwise as a 3rd option at DM I’m not sure you can do much better than Thomas Partey.
His legs are gone and they’re not coming back
He can read the game well; so if he has lost some of his athleticism, then hopefully he’ll have the ability to adapt..
Plus he’ll be able to help MLS develop in training, with the aim of MLS succeeding him in the squad maybe
Why did we let Mo “the ultimate legend” El Neny go? We might never recover from it.
A full pre season without international commitments, will have him back to his best
What exactly makes you say that? It’s not exactly like he’s played enough to say he’s lost anything physically.
Absolutely, with the strength of our squad even if we just get 10-15 games out of him that could help a lot. What a great option to have and I have a sneaky feeling his fitness will be better this year. He’s due for another belter against sp*rs
I’ll be sad to lose The Smith, but at least we’ll still have The Mister.
It’s the common term for “gaffer” for South American players and maybe in Spain too (which is where I would guess Partey got it). From when British merchants (and others) started the football teams in places like Buenos Aires. Like the teams: River Plate instead of Rio de la Plata.
Ooooh, nice tidbit there, George! Always wondered why they were called that!
If Thomas Partey stays fit for much of the season, our chances of nicking the title off City at the third time of asking is brighter.
My hot take (for what it’s worth) is that Partey gets a season long injury fairly early on and that we never see him play in an Arsenal shirt again after that. I hope I’m wrong though…
That’s not a “hot take”…
He is the key in the big Away games in the PL and CL
He started the move from which we scored against city at home, again, started the move where Trossard should have crossed for Martinelli at Etihad and also the Pass to Saka against Bayern where in we were denied a clear penalty.
I hope he gets to fulfill his full potential for one full season at least.
Spot on sir.
If the squad keeps the same quality of last season, and Thomas stays healthy….we win the league
“We know it hurts a lot when you are not able to get the results that we need at the end of the season,”
We had the results. The problem is the petro-oppressor club getting away with flouting the rules.
I think his huge salary may have something to do with it. His legs have gone and he can’t stay fit for five minutes, but like Cedric before him, he’ll fight for his place.
This is unfortunately correct. The club knows there is a need to buy in this area.
Unfortunately
I have no problem with Partey staying. An experienced head who has won things. When he does get on the pitch he’s effective and he showed at the tail end of last season that he can play alongside Rice. If it were a choice between having someone like Partey as a bit part player and someone like Elneny (which it’s not because Elneny is gone now), with due respect… I’d pick Partey every time. I know there is an argument about his wages here but he’s a quality player who brings a lot to the squad. If he does happen… Read more »
I don’t buy the argument of anyone saying his legs are gone. Jorginho is about as slow as it gets but what they both share is an ability to position themselves correctly. Partey, alongside Rice, doesn’t need to make lung bursting runs anymore. He showed at Atletico he has the positional awareness. He also retains the ability to receive the ball, back to goal and break the press with one turn and pass. If we get some games out of him this season he’s a valuable asset to the team for his experience of winning as well as his ability.… Read more »