There were several late deals completed on transfer deadline day but perhaps the standout transfer involved Thomas Partey. The 27 year old central midfielder moved from Atletico Madrid to Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of €50 million.
That was the release clause set by the Spanish club and The Gunners met the clause and concluded the deal on Monday night.
The fee means Partey has become the most expensive Ghanaian player of all time and Arsenal fans will be expecting big things of the experienced midfielder. Uruguay midfielder Lucas Torreira moved in the opposite direction but has signed for Atletico Madrid on a loan deal and could yet return to Arsenal at the end of the season.
🔏 @Thomaspartey22 has joined us from Atletico Madrid on a long-term contract#NoThomasNoPartey— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 5, 2020
🔏 @Thomaspartey22 has joined us from Atletico Madrid on a long-term contract#NoThomasNoPartey
Partey is a significant capture for Arsenal and it is somewhat surprising there were no other big teams competing with them for his signature. Partey won the 2017/18 UEFA Europa League and 2018 UEFA Super Cup with Atletico Madrid. He was also a UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2015/16, coming off the bench in extra time.
Having signed for Atletico Madrid in 2012, Partey spent periods on loan at Real Mallorca and Almería. Former Atletico Madrid youth coach, Javi Baños, saw him play in a friendly match for the U18s against Getafe and Partey’s performance was good enough to persuade the club to offer him a permanent deal. During the loan move to Real Mallorca, Partey played 38 times during the season and scored 5 goals although he still had much to learn about the game.
Indeed, Partey made plenty of mistakes during his time in Mallorca but made significant progress as a player, learning how and when to pass the ball in-front of the back four and growing physically into a strong midfielder. The following season, Partey played 32 times for Almería but could not help them avoid the drop from La Liga. Still, the battle against relegation was a significant experience for the player, who was ready to battle for a place in the Atletico Madrid first team.
It was difficult initially but following the departure of Rodri to Manchester City, Partey finally had the opportunity to play in his preferred deep-lying central midfield position. Talking about his development as a player, Baños said, “I think the thing he has improved most in recent years is his final pass”, before continuing, “He is not just a defensive midfielder. He is now a more adventurous player, with freedom in his movements and scoring ability”.
Partey was excellent in both legs of Atletico Madrid’s successful Champions League last-16 win over Liverpool. He made more tackles, had more touches, made more passes in the final third, and created more open play chances then any of his teammates throughout Atletico Madrid’s run in the Champions League last season.
Partey may not be the man to score goals for Arsenal but in comparison to other top midfielders throughout Europe last season, the Ghanaian international was right up there in terms of interceptions, possession won in the middle third, and aerial duals won.
The likes of Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, and Mohamed Elneny should be worried because there is no doubt Partey is at Arsenal to start every week.