Thomas Partey was fantastic and there is still much more to come – Mikel Arteta
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was full of praise for Thomas Partey after he impressed on his full Arsenal debut in the 2-1 Europa League win at Rapid Vienna.
The 27-year-old Ghana international performance in the Gunners comeback win was rated above average.
The £45m deadline day signing Partey that stood out. The former Atletico Madrid player was a calm presence in midfield, breaking down attacks and building play with apparently effortless ease.
Goals from David Luiz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was enough to ensure the Gunners began Group B with a victory after a Bernd Leno mistake had gifted Taxiarchis Fountas the opener.
It was only Partey’s second appearance in an Arsenal shirt after a late cameo in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, and Arteta is excited by what is to come from the Ghana international.
“I think he held the midfield by himself in the second half when we were a little bit more open,” said the Arsenal boss. “He started to take more chances attacking certain spaces with some players.“I think he was fantastic and there is much more to come from him.”