Chris Sutton has claimed that one Arsenal star has ‘looked a bit off’ this season.
Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title on Sunday despite a 2-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners pushed Manchester City right down to the wire but fell short by just two points.
Mikel Arteta will now be firmly focused on what looks set to be a crucial summer transfer window at Arsenal.
It’s no secret that Arteta is keen to bolster his options in midfield, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes of interest.
There will also be a decision to be made over Thomas Partey’s future, who will head into the final year of his contract this summer.
The Ghanaian missed a large chunk of the season through injury but returned to the Arsenal XI for their last five league games this term.
Yet, Chris Sutton has been unconvinced with the midfielder’s performances of late.
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Sutton says Thomas Partey has ‘looked a bit off’ at Arsenal
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton discussed areas where Arsenal could improve their squad this summer.
The pundit admitted Kai Havertz’s form up front has proven him wrong but questioned Partey’s recent performances.
“I think I was one of those who said in January Arsenal needed a striker, and I think I have been proven wrong with that because of Havertz going in as a nine, Trossard playing as a nine,” Sutton said. “We have given Pep Guardiola praise for winning a title without a striker, and, in many ways, Arsenal have been that adaptable, but we are looking for tiny things where Arsenal can gain this advantage, so it probably would be an Isak-type.
“Maybe left-back has been an area where there has been rotation. Timber will come back in, but it is very, very fine margins.
“The Arsenal midfield, you have got Rice, you have got Partey. Partey probably has looked a little bit off. I know he has had injury issues this season, but they don’t really have many weaknesses, so strengthening the squad I get, maybe the centre-forward area, but that would be it, but, as I said, I was proven wrong with that in January.”
Mikel Arteta ‘irritated’ with Partey
With Arsenal set to bolster Arteta’s options in midfield this summer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Partey head out the door.
The £45 million midfielder is an exceptional player on his day but he has struggled with persistent injuries during his time at the Emirates, something Arteta has reportedly become ‘increasingly irritated’ with.
With a year left on his contract, it’s already been claimed that Arsenal are ready to offload the former Atletico Madrid man.