Arsenal fans weren’t too happy with Black Stars head coach, Charles Kwablan Akonnor’s advice to midfielder Thomas Partey not to move to the Premier League club.
Speaking on Starr FM on Wednesday night, Akonnor suggested that staying at Atletico Madrid might be the best thing for Partey, as he would be guaranteed Champions League football, unlike at Arsenal.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t want him to move to Arsenal because, with Atletico, he will always play Champions League football. His position is guaranteed and he will always play. With Arsenal, I’m not too sure,” Akonnor said.
“I’m sure money issues will come in, but I hope that whatever he asks for, Atletico will be able to pay.”
Akonnor, who knew that his comments would not go down well with Gunners fans, remarking: “Arsenal fans will kill me.”
And that has indeed proven to be the case.
Arsenal have been pursuing a deal for the Ghanaian midfielder since January.
The English club are reluctant to pay Partey’s €50m release clause and recently had an offer of £23m plus Matteo Guendouzi rejected by Atletico.
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Fans of the North London club predictably took to social media to take on the Black Stars gaffer after he made those comments, asking why the Black Stars were chasing Gunners youngster Eddie Nketiah to represent Ghana, if Akonnor didn’t think Arsenal was good enough.
Some went further to accuse C.K Akonnor, who once captained German Bundesliga side, Wolfsburg and the Black Stars, of jealousy.
Others, however, commended the coach for his forthrightness on the matter.
Take a look at some of the reactions below:
Whiles at it, tell the Ayew brothers to leave their clubs.
— Kplörla 🇬🇭 (@PrettyBoyKely) August 13, 2020
Enemies of Progress (EoP)
— Kobby Grant (@KayGyziw) August 13, 2020
These Ghanaians ex players think they know more than anybody ehhh. I haven’t seen this level of ignorance before. Aren’t players bought to improve a team? In your mind if he goes to Arsenal he’ll cease to be a good player? He knows Arteta is a good coach…
— Prosper. G (@Prokwam) August 13, 2020
And he would go begging Ghanaian players in Europe to come play for us…what’s his assurance Ghana will also play afcon or worldcup serf?
— VicTHOR (@vic_tronix) August 13, 2020
C.k am warning you, focus on your job and let us win Afcon or else …. 🤣😅😂🙈🙊⚽️😘😘😘
— NII MARTEY (@fredemart) August 13, 2020
CK Akonnor must be a Chelsea fan
— Akinboye (@myakinboye1) August 13, 2020
