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Thomas Partey can help defy the odds and drag Arsenal back into top four this season

By on November 11, 2020
Thomas partey

(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Arsenal have endured an inconsistent start to the new season and have dropped off the pace already but Thomas Partey could be the man to drag us back into the race for the top four.

Heading into the new campaign, Arsenal were backed to be right in the mix for Champions League qualification this season after a solid summer in the transfer market that saw Mikel Arteta add Gabriel, Willian and Partey to his ranks.

However, despite picking up wins over Fulham, West Ham, Sheffield United and Manchester United, Arsenal have slumped to defeats against Liverpool, Manchester City, Leicester City and Aston Villa.

That means we’ve won four and lost four of our eight Premier League games so far and we currently sit 11th in the table – four points off fourth place and six adrift of the leaders – as we head into the international break.

The inconsistent results have left fans frustrated but it’s no surprise to see Arsenal drifting in the betting odds as bookmakers now rank us seventh in the list of clubs most likely to finish in the top four this season.

Obviously everyone is backing Liverpool and Manchester City to finish as the top two again while Chelsea and Tottenham are currently odds-on with this new online casino to finish in the top four. Man Utd are priced at 15/8 fifth favourites with Leicester narrowly above Arsenal at 3/1.

The Gunners are priced at 4/1 at https://www.toponlinecasinos.co.za to reclaim a top four place this season so, if the betting odds are accurate, it looks as though we may have to settle for no Champions League football again next year.

However, there is a long way to go and I still think Arsenal can make a serious challenge for the top four as long as Arteta can get the best our of our marquee summer signing, Thomas Partey.

The Ghanaian international arrived in a £45m deal from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day last month and has already shown he is exactly the type of player we’ve been missing over the past few years.

Partey was immense during our win over Man Utd as he bossed the game at Old Trafford. He is fast, powerful, excellent in the air, positionally sound and can carry the ball from midfield to attack quickly.

The 27-year-old protects the defence and instigates attacks, so he really is a terrific all-round midfield player and he’s going to be a huge addition to the Arsenal team if he stays fit this season.

The key for Arteta is finding the right partner for Partey in the middle of the park. Mohamed Elneny did a great job away to United but he was very poor at home to Aston Villa when we needed more creativity.

Dani Ceballos and perhaps Joe Willock are other options but Granit Xhaka is the most likely partner for Partey – the concern is whether they can strike the right balance and give us the creative edge we need in midfield.

The Premier League is going to be extremely competitive this season and Arsenal desperately need to get back in the Champions League to tap into the extra £40-£50m it would bring. It’s going to be a tough fight but I think Partey could be the key to breaking back into the top four.