ARSENAL may not have enjoyed the perfect transfer window – but Gooners must take joy in the positives.
There may have been one overwhelming negative: Mikel Arteta’s inability to get rid of the deadwood such as Sead Kolasinac, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi.
The signing of Thomas Partey makes the summer transfer window a successCredit: Instagram @thomaspartey5
Despite that lack of income, Arsenal managed to get a deal over the line for £45million midfielder Thomas Partey.
That was almost certainly bankrolled by owners, KSE – with no player sales to fund it – who have put their hands in their own pockets for the first time since 2005.
As well as Partey’s arrival, Arsenal kept Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari and Dani Ceballos – as well as signing Gabriel Magalhaes.
Most-importantly, though, the club were able to cling on to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang by handing him a new deal, while hotshots Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka committed their long-term future to the club.
Now, finally, Arteta appears to be building a squad genuinely capable of competing.
Partey and Gabriel will be instant Premier League starters, for sure.
But it’s just as important to have those role players, such as Mari who will provide cover for Gabriel, while Cedric will be a capable back-up for Hector Bellerin.
Ceballos can play in any role in the midfield from a deep-lying position to a traditional No10 role – and that’s huge for Arteta.
Willian is a proven top-level player who can excel on either flank – or even behind the striker.
But, more importantly than that, the Brazilian has a host of experience winning matches – and trophies.
That will help bring the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Saka and Reiss Nelson along.
What excites me the most though is the arrival of Partey – which was always more important than the creative star most seemed to crave.
The Ghanaian is potentially the first player Arsenal have had who can physically dominate the midfield area since Patrick Vieira.
Partey is equally adept shielding the back four, as he is in breaking forward.
But his presence in front of the back-four is the one I’m most excited to see.
This flexibility allows Arteta to field an extra creative player.
Bukayo Saka could be the key man for Arsenal with Partey now holding down the fortCredit: PA:Press Association
In recent time, the game-plan has been about being hard to beat – but with Partey the emphasis can finally change.
Last weekend, Arteta switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation for the final half an hour – with Pepe, Saka and Willian behind Aubameyang in attack.
Instantly there was more creativity and Arsenal looked all the more dangerous.
With a stronger back-four and a better holding midfielder in Partey, Arteta can now field a 4-3-3, 4-2-1-3 or 4-2-3-1 with great effect.
I believe Saka can be the key man to any formation, playing either as a wide midfielder or centrally in a three.
There are still players to be sold in January, and a decision to be made as to who will be the long-term first choice right footed partner for Gabriel.
But the deadline day signing of Partey is the game-changer… he can help make Arsenal exciting again.
*Follow Dave Seagar on Twitter…
Arsenal sign Thomas Partey transfer move after meeting £45m Atletico Madrid release clause
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
