Partey perfect for Arsenal side in need of midfield revamp

The Coronavirus pandemic means a number of top teams will see their targets shift over the coming weeks and months. With no football to speak of, sides will see their financial power lessen when the transfer window does open, so teams need to be shrewd in their quest to strengthen.  

That being said, there are bargain buys in the market, even before the global outbreak of COVID-19. Perhaps the best of those in Europe's top five leagues comes in the form of Atletico Madrid star Thomas Partey. Los Colchoneros are looking to tie the Ghana star down to a new deal in Spain, yet while talks are ongoing, there have been no fresh developments at the time of writing. 

As such, Partey's current release clause in a contract that runs until 2023 stands at a modest £47m. It's no wonder Atletico are scrambling to see that increased to around £100m to ward off interest in one of their prized assets. Arsenal are supposedly maintaining their Partey pursuit as head coach Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen a key area of the pitch in the off-season. 

Midfield has been a problematic position for the Gunners in recent years. The likes of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira impressed in the Bundesliga and Serie A with Gladbach and Sampdoria, respectively, before moving to north London, only to struggle to match their performance levels from Germany and Italy. 

That's not to say that Partey would follow in their footsteps as the 26-year-old is arguably a level above the duo and would improve Arsenal's midfield immeasurably. Indeed, you only have to look at the fact Partey is making more tackles per 90 (2.5) than any Arsenal midfielder, bar Dani Ceballos (2.7) this season. For context, Torreira is chipping in with 1.9 and Xhaka is making 1.8. 

This trait to Partey's game reinforces a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'tackling', a quality to his game that would benefit this Arsenal side. The Gunners have four statistically calculated WhoScored weaknesses, all of which are focused on defending, including 'stopping opponents from creating chances'. Clearly, the addition of a player of Partey's ilk would go a long way to improving this side of Arsenal's game as the defence lacks the necessary protection to ensure Bernd Leno's goal is rarely tested. 

Even so, the German has the tricks of the trade to routinely deny opponents as he ranks second for saves (103) in the Premier League this season, but Leno can't continue to bail out his outfield teammates time and time again. Partey's addition, then, would ensure the 28-year-old isn't as routinely called upon as he has been this term with the Atletico star widely considered to be one of the best in his position in world football at present. 

And it's not just in LaLiga where Partey has been at his ball winning best, but in the Champions League too. He was won possession in the midfield third more times (45) than any other player in Europe's elite club competition and saved two of his four best rated perormances in the Champions League for the double header meeting with holders Liverpool, playing a vital role in the middle of the park as Atletico Madrid ensured the Reds were unable to successfully defend their crown. 

Those showings would have sat well with Arsenal fans as they welcomed the chance to watch Partey up close to identify his qualities and determine where he would fit in best in the squad. At the base of a 4-2-3-1, Arteta's most used system, alongside a more forward thinking partner, Partey has the defensive nous to ensure the creative stars in the squad have the license to push on and support the offensive, safe in the knowledge the Ghanaian is protecting the defence. 

Even under pressure, Partey has a knack of working his way out of danger, so to operate in such an important position without a designated battler alongside him shouldn't faze the Atletico sensation. Of the 125 players to attempt 25 or more dribbles in LaLiga this season, only Arthur (90.6%) has a better dribble success rate than Partey (86.5%). Clearly when pressured, he is able to ease past opponents and help set his side on the frontfoot as he opens up the pitch and has the chance to assess his options before picking his next pass. 

Yet, as is the case with any player, there are weaknesses to Partey's game, notably the frequency with which he commits errors. One of his two statistically calculated weaknesses is 'concentration' and it's not undeserved. Partey has committed more errors leading to an opposition shot (6) than any other player in LaLiga this season. Fortunately for him and Atletico, none of those have resulted in an opposition goal, but it's a weakness to his game that needs ironing out.

The pros, though, far outweigh the cons and for £47m, Partey would be a steal for any side and Arsenal, in their push to boost their midfield, should act quickly to ensure he is an Emirates Stadium regular from 2020/21 onwards. There won't be a shortage of suitors in the Atletico star, particularly with his lowly release clause, so if Arsenal can lure him to north London, then it would be a huge statement of intent by the Gunners.