Thomas Partey (5)

[Power n Glory]

If you want to view football in such a basic way without any context then go ahead.

Fact is there's many factors that affect a footballers ability to perform. They need a good partner next to them, they need structure around them etc. If it was all about simply buying a player, plodding him into the team and expecting world class performances, why are Man Utd sh*t having spent stupid amounts of money on top class players?

So what you're saying is no player can play well unless he is surrounded by world-class talent - do you want me to list players who have made an average team so much better - surely that isn't needed?

Ian Wright says hello .... or Mahrez at Leicester .... world-class performers lifting very average teams

I wouldn't say that. You both seem to be describing two different types of player. Most players do need some form of structure or set up to thrive. Even the world class players that can lift an average team influence the structure, set up and coaching. Usually the top players perform so well that they influence the overall structure and the coach starts building around that player and sets up tactically around that player.

For me, maybe Partey isn't that world class player that can influence the structure and he's just the more passive type that needs the structure in place to really play well.

[Power n Glory]

Partey doesn't look confident or comfortable. He was thought to be the fulcrum in the middle which he has not turned out to be.
Regarding beating the press, of course one man can't do it but he should take the lead in evading his marker and wriggle out of a tight spot to find space . Cazorla used to do it every time . He might not have the finesse of Cazorla, but is expected to hold on to the ball when challenged and make safe forward passes. Not pass back to the GK who is also pressed or to another marked defender. That's what exactly Xhaka had been doing for last 5-6 yrs, and he was thought to be an upgrade on 'Xak.

Agree with this. This is what I mean about the passive play. At the very least, he should be able to beat the press more with his dribbling ability. That's a one on one situational thing that can't really be coached and just about individual talent, assessing the situation then beating your man.

[jayramfootball]

Partey’s issues are down to himself and nothing else.
He simply needs to be stronger on the ball and not get pushed off it so easily - as well as learning to move the back quicker when he has it.
Simple.
Nothing to do with who he plays with or anyone else in the team.

[EliteKiller]

I can list top players that have underperformed due to a lack of organisation and structure around them- there's a plethora at Man Utd right now. So we can both play that game.

I think the overall point I'm trying to make is I'll judge Partey once we partner him with a decent CM. We have chronic, deep-rooted issues at this club and 1 player isn't going to transform us.

and I would argue that those individuals, like Partey, are underperforming. Of course, playing under a competent manager with tactics that work will make players better, nobody is arguing against that however failing to control the ball, misplacing passes, being caught in possession are all basic skills a 29-year-old high-value player should have mastered long ago.

If you keep waiting for the perfect scenario before you judge the players - then sadly you will probably die waiting.

[Highbury Hillbilly]

First we needed a £45m mid to pair with the bad buy that was £35m Xhaka.

Now we need another expensive mid to pair with 2 bad buys.

[Highbury Hillbilly]

Partey was one of the best CMs in the world prior to joining us. He just needs the right partner and he'll improve.

Xhaka is brain dead.

He's not though, is he? Top CMs have much higher release clauses because every team needs one.

Atletico replaced him with Kondogbia, who was signed very late, had no pre-season, and won the league.

[theHotHead]

Partey was one of the best CMs in the world prior to joining us. He just needs the right partner and he'll improve.

Xhaka is brain dead.

This!! I don't understand how anyone saw Partey play for Athletico and think he is not a world class CM.

Yes, he needs to cut out his individual errors but I think the bigger problem is Arteta's tactics, he is not getting the best out of Partey and its not just Partey, we bought Odegaard and Arteta is clueless about how best to play him. He has benched £72m Pepe, Martinelli looks a shadow of himself, ESR has has pulled rabbits out of hats and saved Arteta's arse on numerous occasions, its not sustainable.

Just like when Saka was saving Emery's arse, its not sustainable.

[jayramfootball]

Partey was good in Spain and had a good CL year.
Not the same as being able to cut it in the PL.
So far he has shown the PL is just too fast and too physical for him.
No excuses. He hasn’t been good enough.
Outshone by Lakonga today.

[Santi]

Been a while but this guy was the worst player on the pitch against Liverpool, really fed up of his extremely sporadic decent performances. 9/10 games he's pretty shit.

[Power n Glory]

He was marking himself out of the game. Stopped running, kept pointing and gesturing for others to not pass to him, poor passing all game and hardly broke a sweat. Really disappointed with this signing.

[ag6789]

So far he has shown that he's not good as any of the CMs from the top 4-5 sides ( Chelsea w/Kante, Jorginho MC w... all their CM riches, ' Pool w/ Henderson, Thiago and ManU w/Pogba, Fernandez and even WH w/ Soucek, Rice ). So every game we start against big teams we will be short handed in the middle w/ our top midfielder being a level below them.
So Arteta needs to find a solution to go around this problem or invest more in January for better quality .
Pretty frustrating that both Willian and now Partey have proven to be duds at Arsenal when both were stellar performers elsewhere.

[Arsenal Tone]

He needs a DM next to him!

[jayramfootball]

He needs a DM next to him!

He needs a faster brain, lots of practice at passing and a year in the gym.
Not sure a DM next to him is going to help.

[Arsenal Tone]

He needs a DM next to him!

He needs a faster brain, lots of practice at passing and a year in the gym.
Not sure a DM next to him is going to help.

He wants to go bursting forward but has to hold back cos he's meant to be the DM, which isn't natural for him. I honestly reckon prime Vieira would have the same problem if you put him in his place.

[Santi]

Think this guy is worse than xhaka