To paraphrase Jim Carrey in The Mask, it’s Partey time, P-A-R-T-E-Y because we gotta! Arsenal have got their man with Thomas Partey joining on deadline day from Atlético Madrid. The deal wraps up Arsenal’s summer transfer window and sets Mikel Arterta’s squad for the 2020/21 campaign. Last weekend Arsenal were also able to secure a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United taking them onto 9 points from 4 games.
(Credit: Getty Images)
As transfer deadline day approached, there was little noise about a potential incomings with moves for Aouar and Jorginho off the table. After negotiating with Atlético Madrid for much of the window to try and get a lower fee, Arsenal went all in for Thomas Partey on the final day, paying his full £45 million release clause. The deal sees the 27 year old reportedly earning over 200k per week on a 4 year deal with an option for a 5th. Arsenal were in desperate need of a midfielder, someone who could add much needed depth and quality. Coming from Simeone’s highly structured system, the Ghanaian midfielder should fit right in with Arsenal.
Arteta discussed the new signing on Arsenal.com saying that Partey will bring “more adaptability and more balance in defending and attacking transitions and the way we have to set up certain structures to attack better in certain moments of the game.”
This brief description encapsulates much of what Partey will bring – an all action midfielder on both sides of the ball. However, it’s unclear exactly what role he’ll fill currently. Partey’s favourite position is supposedly in a double pivot which would see him slot in alongside one of Ceballos, Xhaka or Elneny in a 3-4-3 or a 4-2-3-1. It is expected that Arteta is going to try and deploy a Barcelona/Manchester City esque 4-3-3 in the long term which would see Partey capable of playing in any of the midfield roles. Partey’s dynamism, ball winning and ball carrying are sure to improve the Arsenal midfield and the club will be delighted that they’ve got their man!
On Sunday Arsenal hosted Sheffield United at The Emirates in a 2-1 victory. The two sides endured 3 heavily tactical games last season and the same occurred in this game with both sides cancelling each other out for the first hour. Arteta tweaked the 3-4-3 that he’s favoured in recent months with Elneny coming out to a right centre back position during build up to create a diamond.
This is something we haven’t seen before and shows that Arteta’s fascinating tactical evolution is still going. With a back 3 of Tierney, Gabriel and Luiz, this seems to have been a ploy to bring Luiz into the base of the defence to help cover him as well as open up his passing range further. The diamond in build-up allows for the player on the ball to always have an option unless 3 men press, which would then leave men free further up the pitch. In this example, Sheffield United’s strikers look to press but Elneny is free on the right side. Despite this, Arsenal still struggled to create chances in the first hour.
The turning point of the game came in the 58th minute when record signing Nicolas Pépé was introduced for Eddie Nketiah. Arsenal immediately switched to a front 4 with Aubemyang up front, Saka and Pépé on the wings and Willian in a free number 10 role. Arsenal instantly looked more creative and dangerous with Pépé in particular demanding the ball at every opportunity. Arsenal’s first goal came just 3 minutes after his introduction with Arsenal building up from Leno through to the final third. The ball ends up at the feet of Willian who turn back to find Pépé, laying it off to Elneny on the edge of the box. The Egyptian pinged the ball into Aubameyang who cushioned it out to Bellerín before delivering a stand up ball to Saka at the back post for him to head into the top corner. The goal rewarded the substitution, Willian’s free role and the one touch football that Arsenal can be so good at. The second goal came just minutes later. Pépé picked up the ball on the half way line and played a one two with Bellerín showing off his pace, leaving Stevens behind. He then collects the ball at full speed and drives into the box before tucking the ball into the far corner, reminiscent of his days at Lille. The 10 minutes from when Pépé came on sealed the game for Arsenal and showed an exciting front four full of creativity and goal threat. With the condensed fixture list players will be in and out of the team but hopefully this is a front four we see again soon.
Saka 1-0
Pépé 2-0
(Credit: Arsenal)
As well as Partey, Arsenal had a number of other moves they were involved with on deadline day. Guendouzi, who’s been left out of the squad since June, has been shipped to Hertha Berlin on loan for the season. Lucas Torreira has joined Atlético Madrid on loan and the club will hope both midfielders can raise their stock ahead of next summer’s transfer window as they could be key to Arsenal’s dealings next season. The club were unable to complete later transfer sales for both Kolasinac and Sokratis as well as running out of time to agree a loan deal with Saint-Etienne for William Saliba. With the EFL window remaining open until October 16th, there is a possibility for more business to be done with the likes of Saliba and Smith-Rowe rumoured to be loaned to the Championship. Ultimately, Arsenal will feel disappointed with their inability to shift some of the deadwood at the club despite the challenging circumstances, but will feel they used this window well to strenghten the squad for a top 4 challenge.
Adam Perry - 09/10/2020