Speaking in his post game analysis of Arsenal Football Club’s frustrating 2-2 draw with fellow London side Fulham in the English Premier League, pundit Gary Neville has called for Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey to play more prominently in midfield.
The Manchester United legend made these comments at a time several Arsenal fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to play Partey as a right full back who slots into midfield when the Gunners are on the offensive.
The experiment has seen title contenders Arsenal largely struggle for top performances three games into the 2023-2024 season despite garnering seven out of nine points.
Neville singled out Partey in his analysis and called for Arteta to play the Ghanaian star prominently in midfield alongside Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice ahead of the Gunners’ big clash against Manchester United on Sunday, September 3.
“I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation. Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game. Sometimes you need to go back to basics. “I’d expect next week [vs Man Utd] Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four. Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard” Neville said on Sky Sports.
Partey played 56 minutes against Fulham with Oleksandr Zinchenko replacing him in the second half.