Thomas Partey has opened up on his debut season at Arsenal. The Ghana international was the Gunners’ big money signing last summer when the £45m release clause in his contract at Atletico Madrid was triggered on deadline day. However, the midfielder was injured against Aston Villa in November and that was the catalyst for a stop-start season with his progress often disrupted by fitness issues. On a more positive note, Partey managed to steer clear of injury during the final few months of the 2020/21 season, although he couldn’t help the Gunners avoid failing to qualify for Europe next term. With that said, he is one of Mikel Arteta’s undroppables for next season and has made a promise to Arsenal fans.
Thomas Partey said: “I think everybody has seen it, up and downs, we had good times and bad times, but you know this is my first season and I think I had to adapt to how they play, get used to my mates and I think now I’m getting used to them and I know with hard work, everything will be okay for the next season. It’s not easy, that’s one of the best leagues in the world and if you want to be there, you have to be able to do everything good, so I like this challenge and I’m ready to do everything.”
The midfielder was pushed back onto the pitch by Arteta, but it was clear he couldn’t continue and that proved to be a decisive moment for both teams.
Thomas Partey added: “I think people misunderstood that situation, I remember when I first took the ball from one of the Spurs players, and I felt my cord and then I was walking straight to the bench and I didn’t know what happened. So I saw them attacking us – so Arteta did not push me, I try to run back, try and save that situation but I could not because it was very painful. And then the media took it very personal then that’s how everything went viral.”
