THOMAS PARTEY has been hailed as a ‘really important’ signing for Arsenal after impressing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The club captain praised Partey, 27, for settling quickly into the Gunners’ dressing room.
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Thomas Partey (left) celebrated Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s winner at Old Trafford with the strikerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Arsenal had tracked the midfielder throughout the summer but finally made his £45.5million move from Atletico Madrid official on transfer deadline day.
And Aubameyang, 31, described in his programme notes for Thursday’s clash with Molde just how happy he is with his new team-mate.
He wrote: “It was a great performance from the whole team and it was great to see Thomas Partey play like that even though he’s not been here long.
“Off the pitch he’s a really humble guy and you can see that on the pitch as well because he really gives everything in the game.
“He is really simple and quiet, so humble, and we all really like him.
“He’s really funny too – sometimes he’ll do some jokes and we won’t be expecting it. So he’s settled in really quickly.
I think he locked down three of Manchester United’s midfielders on Sunday. That’s really important for us.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
“On the pitch his strengths are his energy and the way he can stop counter-attacks and dangerous situations. That’s really important for us.
“I think he locked down three of Manchester United’s midfielders on Sunday – that’s my point of view anyway – and that’s really important for us.
“Also he can play forward really well when he regains the ball and that’s a good point for us.”
In three starts for Arsenal, Partey has enjoyed two wins including Saturday’s vital beating of Manchester United.
Mikel Arteta is expected to continue with the Ghanaian alongside surprise star Mohamed Elneny for the upcoming visit of Aston Villa.
The Gunners will leapfrog Dean Smith’s side and could enter the top-four with a win.
Partey was rested for the 4-1 victory over Molde, Nicolas Pepe among the scorers after the Norwegians took a shock lead at Emirates Stadium.
Watch Arsenal new-boy Thomas Partey blast out initiation song ahead of Leicester as he prepares to make full Prem debut
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
