Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is close to having a fully fit squad at his disposal ahead of a busy few months, with key players returning from injury.
Wednesday’s victory over Luton Town saw Arteta gamble and make several changes, which ultimately paid off as Arsenal secured the three points with ease and forgotten star Emile Smith Rowe shone on his return to the team.
The game also saw Thomas Partey make his first start since August after recently recovering from a long-term injury, but there are concerns over him.
Partey looked rusty in a few cameo appearances off the bench since returning, but whilst he did play well overall against Luton, it was clear that he has lost a bit of his mobility since his injuries, and this will now require him to adapt his game.
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Thomas Partey decline in physicality highlighted after Arsenal return
Speaking on the Handbrake Off Podcast, former Arsenal player and analyst Adrian Clarke highlighted how Partey looks a lot less mobile now as a result of his injuries and lack of match sharpness, and called for him to adapt his game to focus on his strengths on the ball.
“It’s a strange one because he’s a really powerful runner, or that’s always been one of his big strengths, especially the way he powers through down the middle,” he stated.
“I think the Man City game last season was a bit of an eye-opener, he really didn’t track back very well when Kevin De Bruyne powered through the middle, and it was the same at the weekend, that was really noticeable wasn’t it.
“When Declan Rice lost the ball he got back very quickly and won it, but when the same thing happened to Thomas, he looked like he had a rucksack on his back.
“I think he has lost a little bit of athleticism. I think that is the sad truth. He’s into his thirties, he’s had quite a lot of injuries, so maybe that’s understandable.
“He’s going to have to adapt his game, he’s going to have to be more of a thinking footballer, like Jorginho, to stay at the very top level, Thomas Partey, because that was one of his key assets, and if that’s diminished, he has to reinvent himself a little bit.”
Thomas Partey needs more match fitness
Partey’s fitness issues have been a big problem, to the extent that Arsenal can no longer rely on him and may look to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad to replace him.
Right now, he has started just one game, and still looked good on the ball, but seemed to lose a yard of pace against Luton.
It may just be a question of regaining match sharpness with more match practice, but if he has lost some physicality, he will need to play alongside Declan Rice to help cover for him, and adapt his game to focus on his on-ball excellence, which is how Jorginho is currently thriving in midfield for Arsenal.