Thomas Partey is playing an unheralded role in Granit Xhaka’s success at Arsenal
His role and importance to this season’s squad was clear to see in Saturday’s impressive 3-1 North London derby win over Tottenham
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka hit his lowest point for the Gunners nearly three years ago when he was stripped of his captaincy and left out of his side’s Europa League squad for their clash against Portugal’s Vitoria.
The decision by then manager Unai Emery came in response to controversy stemming from Xhaka’s angry reaction to being booed by fans after being substituted in a home draw against Crystal Palace.
During the indecent, a frustrated Xhaka taunted home fans and removed his shirt when storming off the pitch after he was substituted. The Swiss international has since admitted he wanted to leave the club in that following winter’s transfer window.
Three years on though, such turmoil seems unrecognisable. His fortunes have been massively transformed at the club, and he’s now considered one of Mikel Arteta’s most important squad members.
His role and importance to this season’s squad was clear to see in Saturday’s impressive 3-1 North London derby win over Tottenham when the midfielder was quick to summon his fellow players over for a pep talk following Thomas Partey’s opening goal.
Xhaka himself got on the scoresheet in that game, netting the third and final strike to cap off what had been another impressive all-round performance from the 30-year-old.
Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are working well together in Arsenal’s midfield
Although we’re just eight games into the new season, Xhaka has already registered five Premier League goal contributions. He needs just one more goal or assist to match his tally for each of his last two full league campaigns combined.
His increased influence from an attacking point of view is thanks to the form of midfield teammate Partey whose dominating presence in the heart of the Arsenal midfield is allowing Arteta to hand Xhaka a role which sees him playing more like a number eight, rather than a number six.
Partey’s dominance in that area was on display on Saturday when he finished the game having made more tackles and interceptions than any other Arsenal player.
Xhaka when playing in that deeper defensive position in recent years was too often guilty of switching off which would lead to turning the ball over in dangerous areas or committing cheap fouls.
Coming into this season, he’d picked up 51 yellow cards in just 186 Premier League matches.
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