‘Partey is world class’ – ex-Arsenal star defends under-fire €50m signing

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:24 BST
• 1 min read

Former Arsenal star Kevin Campbell has leapt to the defence of Thomas Partey following his underwhelming first season at the Emirates.

Big things were expected of the Ghanaian when Arsenal splashed out €50 million to sign the midfielder from Atletico Madrid last summer.

However, despite missing only six games through injury in his entire career before joining Arsenal, Partey has struggled from numerous physical problems in north London.

He barely played in November, December and the start of January due to thigh and hip injuries before suffering another muscular problem earlier this month.

And when Partey has played, he hasn’t always impressed everyone alongside Granit Xhaka in the centre of midfield.

“The problem is Xhaka, it isn’t Partey,” Campbell told the Highbury Squad Podcast.

“You tend to find Xhaka plays sideways and back, as opposed to when Partey gets it, he can manoeuvre it and play forward.

“Partey is world-class. Without a shadow of a doubt. He’s world-class. When he plays. We are a better team. Full stop.”

Partey returned to individual training ahead of Arsenal’s big match against Manchester City at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Gunners can reignite their top-four chances with a victory over the runaway Premier League leaders.