Thomas Partey: Arsenal sign ‘one-man wrecking ball’ who ‘could have played for Man City or Manchester United’ with Gunners now ‘guaranteed’ top four finish
Thomas Partey has signed for Arsenal on transfer deadline day, the Premier League club have confirmed.
Partey, the Ghana midfielder, joins from Atletico Madrid after making nearly 200 appearances for the Spanish club, having graduated from their academy and developed into one of Europe's most highly-rated players.
The 27-year-old was one of Arsenal's top targets all summer - along with Houssem Aouar - and after admitting defeat in their hunt to sign the Lyon midfielder, the Gunners moved quickly for Partey.
They rushed to get the deal over the line before Monday's 11pm deadline, and succeeded in doing so with Partey officially Arsenal's newest recruit, joining after his £45million release clause was activated.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: "We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we're now delighted to add such a high quality player to our squad.
"He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in LaLiga and the Champions League for several years.
"We're very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game. He's an intelligent footballer and we're looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we're building at the moment at the club."
He arrives in north London as one of the most lauded midfielders in European football, establishing his reputation as a fine all-rounder who influences both the offensive and defensive phases of the game.
A scout report published earlier this year best encapsulates Partey's talents, calling him 'a one-man wrecking ball who just so happens to be able to play football'.
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He has made 188 appearances for Atleti, scoring 16 goals, and leaves the Wanda Metropolitano with two honours - the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup, both won in 2018.
Partey's entire career has been spent playing under Diego Simeone, who will rue losing one of his most important players.
“Thomas is an amazing player," Simeone has previously said of the midfielder. "He could have played for Manchester City [or] Manchester United.
“We’re talking about a great player here. I rate him very highly.”
Simeone also believes the already 27-year-old Partey has gone under the radar due to being from Ghana and coming through Atleti's academy.
“I could say so many things [about Thomas], but with some of them I have to shut up,” Simeone said in October last year.
“I’m very happy with Thomas.
“If he had come from an English or German team, he would be [lauded] but he’s from the academy and he’s just Thomas.
“He has been working for many years, non-stop.”
Former Premier League captain Gabby Agbonlahor believes Partey is the signing to ‘guarantee’ Arsenal a top four finish this season.
“Arsenal need that defensive midfielder who’s going to tidy up and spot danger,” said the ex-Aston Villa skipper on Sky Sports.
“If they do pay it [Partey’s release clause] you can guarantee Arsenal will finish in the top four, because in their squad that’s the only position I feel they’re missing out on.”
The Gunners currently sit fourth in the embryonic Premier League table, behind Everton, Aston Villa and Leicester with three wins and one defeat from their four matches so far.