Arsenal urged to sign Thomas Partey after Liverpool performance

Arsenal have been urged to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey, by former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

Partey has been a key member of Atletico’s side since breaking into the first team in 2016/17, playing across the midfield and even filling roles in defence.

The Ghanaian midfielder received high praise for his role in Atletico’s 4-2 aggregate win over Liverpool in the Champions League last-16, knocking the holders out of the competition.

Should Arsenal sign Thomas Partey? Five things to know…

• Arsenal have been linked with signing Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
• Partey put in a strong performance as Atletico knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League.
• Only Renan Lodi and Andrew Robertson (5) made more tackles than Partey (4) at Anfield.
• Shaka Hislop has urged Arsenal to trigger the release clause in the next transfer window.
• Partey has a release clause of £45m.

In the second leg at Anfield, Partey made four tackles, won three aerial duels, completed two take-ons and had the third-most touches among his Atletico Madrid teammates.

His performance against Liverpool has seen Partey linked with a move away from Atletico, with Arsenal among the clubs reportedly interested. According to reports, the Gunners are considering the option of triggering his £45m release clause when the next transfer window opens.

Mikel Arteta’s men have not had the best season, currently ninth in the Premier League and eight points behind Chelsea in fourth – putting their hopes of playing European football next season in doubt.

There are also doubts surrounding the resumption of football after the coronavirus temporarily suspended action across Europe. But should it go ahead, and the transfer window run as usual, Hislop believes Arsenal should sign Partey.

“Thomas Partey has been outstanding for the last two years at the very least,” he told ESPN FC.

“If you’re Arsenal and you can somehow prise Partey away from Atletico Madrid, absolutely you do it all day every day.

“He sits in front of the back four, I’m still not sure that there are many better box-to-box midfielders in the game. If you get this done, do it now, do it quick.”

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Hislop: Partey might want new challenge

Even if Arsenal were to trigger the release clause of Partey, the question remains whether the midfielder would want the move to the Premier League.

And Hislop believes Partey might be open for a new challenge with a different style of football after criticism surrounding Atletico’s play.

He added: “There’s a challenge around Atletico Madrid and their style of play which made the headlines again this season.

“Maybe Partey feels it’s time for a new challenge, a different style of football, maybe Arsenal offer him something financially that makes it worthwhile and Arteta convinces him they’ll be playing Champions League before long.

“There’s a lot of ifs, ands and buts about it.

“If you’re Arsenal and you can convince him, I don’t think you need to look anywhere else.”