How Thomas Partey’s fitness boosts Arsenal’s title aspirations
Published:
2 months ago
Source:
3News
Thomas Partey
In a league where having a good defensive midfielder is almost proportional to a good finisher, Arsenal's medical team have been sweating over the fitness of Thomas Partey - especially in the last two seasons. However, with Partey anchoring the midfield from the off in Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Arsenal will need an element of good fortune to ensure the 31-year-old Ghanaian goes through the season unscathed. Mikel Arteta took the reins at Arsenal on December 20, 2019, after Unai Emery's underwhelming stint with the Gunners, and Freddie Ljungberg's brief interim spell. The Spaniard was quick to accentuate players shirking responsibilities, amidst the club losing its sense of direction: "I want people to take responsibility for their jobs and I want people who deliver passion and energy in the football club. Anyone who doesn't buy into this, or that has a negative effect or whatever, is not good enough for this environment or this culture"
The tone was clear, the vision was spelt out, and the onus was on Arteta to transform Arsenal into Wenger's perennial title and top four contenders.