'Partey cannot be compared with Vieira or Gilberto Silva'

Former Arsenal defender Lauren has weighed in his verdict on Thomas Partey and why he shouldn’t be compared to two legends.

Lauren insists it is not right to compare Thomas Partey to Arsenal legends Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva as he is a different player in a different squad.

Hopes were high that Arsenal had signed a game-changer last year. One that would fill the midfield void left by Vieira and Gilberto many years ago. The Gunners paid Atletico Madrid €40 million for Partey, but they’ve yet to reap the full benefits of their investment. The Ghanian has made just 34 appearances following a series of injury setbacks and struggles for form.

But Lauren remains convinced of the 28-year-old’s potential once he has recovered his fitness and avoids further injury.

Speaking about the midfielder to BonusFinder and Goal, he said: “We have to avoid comparisons because Patrick Vieira is Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva is Gilberto Silva, two world-class players.

“We have to look forward and back Thomas Partey for who he is, he’s a different player in a different squad. We cannot compare Partey with Vieira or Gilberto Silva because it’s not the right way to look at things.

“Partey is a quality player, and he’s proved that at Atletico Madrid and since he’s arrived, he’s been brilliant.

“We have to hope he avoids injuries because a player like him needs to play every single weekend and the team will benefit if he does. He still has a lot of potential to get better, so the more he plays then the more likely he’ll reach those levels we expect of him.”