“He’s a massive player for us” - Mikel Arteta says Arsenal star produced one of his best performances ever in win against Sporting CP
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was full of praise for midfielder Thomas Partey following the side's 5-1 win over Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday (November 26). The Spaniard suggested that it was one of the Ghanaian's best performances, crediting him for his presence in midfield.
He said (via Metro):
"I think it’s one of the best performances I have seen from him, especially the way he’s dominated the game so that’s the level he can play, he’s progressing. This year, he’s been so consistent as well because he always has a role, that’s a big thing, he’s a massive player for us."
Partey was a key presence in the base of midfield for Arsenal, allowing his partners Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice to advance in attack. The 31-year-old finished with seven passes into the final third, won three out of five duels, and had a pass completion rate of 92% (60/65).
He has grown to be a key player for Mikel Arteta in a season where the Gunners have suffered from injury issues. The likes of Odegaard, Rice, Ben White, and Mikel Merino have all missed game time. Partey's versatility has seen him get deployed both in central midfield and right-back. In all, he has made 18 appearances across competitions, scoring twice.
Mikel Arteta opens up on Arsenal's performances in the Champions League
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted his side's outings in the Champions League this season. The Spaniard insisted that belief and confidence could fuel the side to do well in the tournament.
He pointed to their win over Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) earlier this season and the quarter-final clash with Bayern last campaign, indicating that the team could perform on the big stage.
Following Arsenal's 5-1 win over Sporting CP, he said (via Metro):
"For sure, the performance was there a few times and when we have played big teams, when we have played PSG, we were exceptional, again, when we played Bayern we were exceptional and some mistakes cost us."
"Now it’s Inter, now it’s this level, that’s the level we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, then that creates belief, then on the next one the players will be better prepared. We need that consistency because the ability to do it is there," he added.
The big win over their Portuguese opponents sees the side seventh on the UCL table. They have now collected two wins on the trot after a run of three games without a win.
