Partey or Casemiro? Ferdinand weighs in on Arsenal-Man Utd debate

The two midfielders are set to face each other for the first time in their Premier League careers on Sunday.

Manchester United ace Casemiro ‘wipes the floor’ against Arsenal star Thomas Partey statistically, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The defensive midfielders have enjoyed standout campaigns for their respective clubs. With no major injury handicaps, Partey has become a vital part of the Arsenal side that has gone eight points clear at the top of the Premier League. Casemiro’s excellent start at United, meanwhile, has seen plenty of plaudits come his way.

Ferdinand rates the two players

“He [Partey] is actually playing some passes I didn’t know he had,” Ferdinand said on his VIBE with FIVE podcast.

“At Atletico Madrid did you see those passes? In the Champions League?

“In terms of whose more important to their team, you can argue for both sides. But when you throw the stats in, Casemiro wipes the floor with him.”

“I don’t think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing,” the former Red Devils defender added. “I don’t think he has the impact to do defensively what Casemiro is doing for Man United. On the ball, he is doing more. He’s dictating play for Arsenal man, controlling tempos.”

Partey missed the last encounter between Arsenal and Manchester United in September due to an injury. The Ghana international, however, is fit this time around and is set to play against Casemiro for the first time in England since the latter’s summer arrival from Real Madrid.

The Premier League match will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.