Arsenal is on course for its first Premier League title in England since 2004. Victory over Tottenham in the North London Derby was a big statement to the rest of the league, as they outplayed their rivals away from home.
Partey put in a commanding performance in the Gunners’ midfield in the 2-0 success in the fierce derby. He protected his side’s defense well, and his distribution across the field was as accurate as ever.
🗳 The votes are in!
🏆 Our Player of the Match against Tottenham...
💫 Thomas Partey pic.twitter.com/s7XShM8d8x
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 2, 2022
The two-time Ghana Player of the Year is in his third season at Arsenal after joining the North London club in 2020 and, unlike during his opening two campaigns in England, Partey has managed to stay fit and avoid injury. That stretch in the team has helped the Gunners stretch clear of the rest of the pack in the Premier League.
As of January 18, Arsenal is the odds-on favorite at -138 in the football betting to win the title. They began the season as outsiders, but those odds have come crashing down with each month of the campaign.
Unlike many of the players in Mikel Arteta’s squad, Partey has experience winning a league championship. He helped Atletico Madrid upset the odds in Spain in the 2020/21 campaign. They finished ahead of Barcelona and Real Madrid to land the Spanish league title in 2021. The Ghanian is one of the leaders in his Arsenal team and he will be fully aware that a lot of work is still needed for the Gunners to be crowned the champions.
Partey and Xhaka Allow Others to Shine
Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli have stolen most of the headlines this season for Arsenal. The reason they could play with the freedom they have is the partnership created between Partey and Granit Xhaka.
There is a strong case to be made for saying the Gunners duo has been the best midfield partnership of the season in the Premier League. Arsenal has conceded just 14 goals through their opening 18 matches, and Partey and Xhaka have played a big role in that rock-solid defense.
With his eighth league goal of the season coming in that win over Tottenham, Odegaard has been in great form in front of goal. The Arsenal midfielder is the most advanced player forward in his team’s midfield and he is often in the right place at the right time.
Saka and Martinelli are the two players who have featured frequently on the wing in Arteta’s team. Both of those two men understand their defensive duties, but when they are not able to track back, Partey and Xhaka can cover for them.
Gunners Miss Out on Mudryk but Still Have Strong Squad
To give themselves some extra firing power in the final third of the pitch, Arsenal wanted to sign Ukraine international Mykhailo Mudryk during the transfer window. Unfortunately for the Gunners, they missed out on the striker, as Chelsea purchased the talented striker for £89 million.
15 reasons to smile on a Monday! 😄 pic.twitter.com/EuNDXwCJpG
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 16, 2023
The Ukrainian had scored seven goals in 12 games for Shakhtar this season. He is considered one of the brightest prospects in European football. Arsenal was outbid for their target, and they weren’t prepared to go above their valuation of the player.
Arteta’s squad will be boosted when Gabriel Jesus returns to full training. The former Manchester City man has been out since picking up a frustrating knee injury in Brazil’s opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
Jesus is set to return for the final months of the season. The Brazilian has scored five goals in 14 Premier League games for Arsenal. Before leaving Manchester City, he won four titles for the Manchester club. He will now be doing all he can to help the Gunners finish ahead of his former side this season.
Arsenal could also add to their squad in the January transfer window. Arteta has claimed that they are prepared to do business if it fits within their budget. However, if they can’t snap up any of their targets now, they are likely to wait until the summer. It is being reported that West Ham’s Declan Rice is their number one target in the summer transfer window.
It is going to be an exciting and nervous final third of the season for Arsenal fans. They will be hoping Partey and his teammates can ensure it is a campaign to remember for the Gunners.