Lol, I skimmed through @The_Invincibles’ post about Partey.
How is Partey’s build-up(from anywhere really) a problem?
Absolutely. His on the ball ability is what separates him from other players BY FAR. That part of his game seems so underestimated still. When he plays or not our link up between our back line and midfield is night and day.
They should offer him a two year extention tbh.
It’s not that’s why I just laughed and ignored it
Attack his occasional sloppy ball but otherwise there’s not much to go at.
Has anyone seen what Fabregas said about him?
Huge praise from someone who played with some of the best players of all-time.
Nope. What exactly? I can imagine Fabregas loving Partey’s style of play too.
It was about his composure in certain situations. I’ll see if I can find a clip online and share it.
Not even the best examples of it from this season but look how many times he is under relatively close pressure and never once looks phased. You can’t buy that.
MLS has it too.
He is one of the most solid and reliable midfielders in the PL so we should definitely keep him.
Why would we sell such an influential player?
While Partey has at times looked a bit too casual and has (like every player) lost us possession in crucial moments, he’s definitely been on his best form this season and while I’m all for bringing-in Zubamedi to bolster our midfield, I don’t see how we can replace what Partey gives us.
In a way, when he’s on top form, Partey reminds me of Patrick Vieira, his huge frame means he’s difficult to shake off the ball and his long stride means that he doesn’t need pace to cover a lot of ground. Just like Vieira he has a knack of spotting a good progressive pass. Imagine how much better we would have faired if he’d stayed free from injuries.
I do wonder whether the legal difficulties are behind the decision to let him go or whether he’s ready for a new challenge or simply wants that one final retirement pay day at another big club.
The decision to simply let him walk away doesn’t make sense in terms of the evolution of the team.
Until this season and his uptick in form and availability, I was all in for letting him go, but we don’t have anyone in the team who can play like Partey and I think our ability to drive through low-blocks will be affected if he goes.
I still have reservations for non-footballing reasons but I think we’re making a mistake if we don’t at least try to convince him to stay for another season.
Only way I would be happy with Zumbimendi is a Jorginho replacement.
He’s a free agent in the summer.
I still think he’ll go to be honest. Not even because we don’t want to keep him at this point but moreso because he’s putting out a stellar season and will likely be on the radar of many teams looking a deep lying playmaker.
If we do offer him a contract I can’t see being on the same money. I can see other teams willing to risk it though.
The rumour was that Partey wants to stay in London due to being settled with his family. Two year contract at 200k a week. We move on Jorginho and Zinchenko and buy Zubimendi. Midfield is set for a decade: Zubimendi to take over from Partey, Rice, MLS, Odegaard and Nwaneri.
He’s been class this season.
There has been very little noise about his future.
From a purely footballing standpoint, it would be great to get him back on a one or two year deal on similar or less wages. But I suspect that a club like Barcelona or Juventus that loves a free transfer will give him more years/money and he’ll be off. And I think its possible that him departing the club when this contract runs out might have been long agreed with the Kroenkes in relation to the off field stuff.
I can’t see him being renewed unless the legal issues get resolved.
Is that still going on? Been like 2 years since there was anything about that.
Yeah. There was something only a month or two ago I think. Just about how it’s still ongoing.
@GC-Maniac will be googling it now.
I think there have been reports from dodgy sources about the likes of Juve and Barca being interested but I don’t recall anything concrete.
The best we’ve got is The Athletic saying he and Jorginho are expected to go and Zubimendi to come in.
Last line cracked me up tbf
Zubi must be some player
I am not adverse to Partey staying to provide us with squad depth next season. I just don’t think that it is going to happen. Firstly, because he hasn’t signed a new deal. Secondly, because
I think there are a lot of teams who will offer Partey big wages to join on a free transfer in the summer, and therefore I think he will be tempted by a move. Lastly, I question if Arsenal want him to stay by reason of the fact that we don’t appear to have offered him a new deal, and Partey may have indicated that he doesn’t want to extend his contract (we are all assuming he wants to stay at Arsenal).
This season is turning into his best with Arsenal, aka Xhaka, but wonder if the club feel this is the right time (like Xhaka) to say goodbye.
So again, I’m not adverse to him staying to provide squad depth, but stand by what I’ve said in terms of progressive passing. Some games like Madrid, he is excellent, but in others we are slow in the build up. I expect this is one of the reasons why Arteta wants Zubimendi, to be able to dictate the play and tempo from deep.