The Arsenal midfielder made his first start since returning from injury to help seal an impressive victory.
Thomas Partey’s performance got a thumbs up from Mikel Arteta, who hailed the midfielder for his ‘big influence’ in the 3-0 win over Newcastle United.
After coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace last week, Partey made the line-up on Monday. It was his first start for Arsenal since coming off with a recurrence of a leg injury against Tottenham on December 6.
The 27-year-old played for over an hour and proved key in the club’s victory. His passing was excellent, and it was his through ball that enabled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to break the deadlock after the break.
Thomas Partey's game by numbers vs. Newcastle:
66 minutes
95% pass accuracy
67 touches
14 final third entries
9 ball recoveries
3 interceptions
2 chances created
1 assist
0 fouls committed— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 18, 2021
Arteta may need to play safe with Partey for now, but the Arsenal boss was thrilled with what he had seen from his big-money summer signing.
“Really happy,” Arteta told Sky Sports on Partey’s performance. “He got better and better as the game went on.
“He had a big influence. He gives us things that are different to any other player.
“Still, we have to protect him as he has missed a lot of football in the past few months, but we are really happy with his performance.”
Partey will hope for some more action on Saturday in a FA Cup fourth-round tie against either Southampton or Shrewsbury Town.
Arsenal youngsters Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, made a bit of Premier League history.
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