Would you describe them as… world class shoes?
He’s done well but if he got injured tomorrow we’d be fine. The strength of the squad has been in its depth. None of the summer signings are in and of themselves the difference and that’s as it should be.
2 Likes
I’m expecting a lot more from him. He’s been good but transformational? No way. Once he hits his stride, he’ll really start to influence us.
The issue with him not being transformational doesn’t necessarily have to do with him, but more about who he replaced.
Say what you want about Partey off the pitch but on the pitch he’s been one of the best holding midfielders I have ever seen in the PL.
The fact he’s made the transition feel seamless so far says a lot. Especially when you consider that both Partey and Rodri(like other midfielders before and after then) had a tough first year in the PL.
9 Likes
Big deflection on it takes away the shine for me.
Lovely moment for him though.
2 Likes
What’s really great about that goal is that I was watching him in training and he was doing it every single time. They put a blindfold on him and he was still able to do it.
I still can’t see that deflection, except when it touches the keepers hands 
1 Like
Same, even if there’s the slightest of touches, it doesn’t seem to change the direction or velocity of the ball much in this case.
Wait, I thought you’re crazy and now I can’t see it either. I even slowed it down. What in the illusions is this?
2 Likes
Couldn’t agree more. Partey was our most rounded player since Vieira in my opinion. Yes, more than Cesc (not better though, obviously).
2 Likes
We’ve not had a midfielder who could stride forward as effortlessly as Partey could since Vieira. Unfortunately Partey didn’t have Vieira’s ability to turn quickly and retreat if play broke down which left him in the wrong place with the defence exposed on occasions. We’re showing signs that we’re going to be able to adapt how we move the ball forward without Partey’s drive but it’s a work in progress at the moment.
Zubimendi isn’t ever going to be that Vieira/Partey sort of player, I see him as being more like a defensive version of Fabregas. No need to stride forward when you can pick out a team-mate’s laces from 50 yards away.
Idk, maybe… There’s a little possibility….
Has anyone ever maybe heard of an…
Outside swerved strike??
He just kicked a ball nicely, no deflection mates.
1 Like
Agree on the whole but you will notice that Zubi also struggles when he gets caught ahead of the ball just like TP5 had started to as he got older.
I think the point you made is that he’s not necessarily going forward as much, pulling strings from generally deeper (not sure if this accurate but gut feel agrees) and therefore he won’t get caught as much. Again my feeling aligns but we have seen the scenario a few times already, we’ve just not been punished.
I really think I must be alone when it comes to my views on Partey. He was an excellent midfielder, but I don’t rate him as highly as either Rice or Zubimendi. Personally, although they are different profiles to past players, I think Rice and Zubimendi will become the best midfield duo for 20 years.
Nobody mentions his injury issues Partey had while at Arsenal, or the brain farts with his misplaced passes particularly in his last two seasons, or the errors he made which led to us conceding goals. An excellent player but that was all he was. We have already replaced him and moved on IMO.
I think his good final season probably helps with his on-field reputation. I felt from a footballing point of view that it was the right time to get rid of him. His availability wasn’t great during his time here, nor did I think he and Odegaard were a good match. That he was prepared to carry the ball through the middle made him fairly unique with our risk adverse attacking play. I don’t think we’ll miss him by the end of this season.
https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1976963420974194729
I’m glad Arteta isn’t in the cold call business.
2 Likes
We have Arteta to thank for Zubi not ending up at Liverpool!
1 Like
Hes a perfect midfielder. We are lucky to have him.
2 Likes
Arteta selling his project
4 Likes