Arsenal are chasing a former Manchester Metropolis participant to strengthen their facet this month, in a shock transfer from supervisor Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have been missing in creativity and objectives, dropping two factors at house to Aston Villa final week in a disappointing collapse within the title race. Arteta has confirmed that the membership is out there for a ahead, as he seems to be to claw again what may probably be a nine-point hole between his facet and league leaders Liverpool, ought to they win their sport in hand.
However following criticism of Thomas Partey on the weekend, Arteta has spoken publicly concerning the Ghanaian’s function along with his group – and now, may look to switch him.
Arsenal curious about former Manchester Metropolis star as Partey improve
Towards Villa on the weekend, Partey got here below scrutiny for his function within the equalising aim, as he uncared for his marking job and misplaced Ollie Watkins on the again put up.
Sky Sports activities pundit Paul Merson mentioned he was “flabbergasted” by the 31-year-old’s lack of focus – although it is not the primary time that Partey has come below hearth this season. The Arsenal star did not shut down Chelsea rapidly sufficient within the 2-2 draw within the autumn, whereas final week in opposition to Tottenham, his lack of effort monitoring again led to the nook that Spurs really scored from.
Now, Arteta has claimed that he has had little different choice than to play the erratic midfielder at right-back this season, admitting that he would not ordinarily need Partey in his backline.
“I had no alternative,” the Arsenal boss mentioned of fielding Partey at right-back in his pre-match press convention earlier than Arsenal return to Champions League motion this week in opposition to Dinamo Zagreb. “I didn’t have one other proper full-back, simply Jurrien, no person else. Who performs when Jurrien isn’t obtainable?”
Arteta could nicely deal with this inbalance on the again, nevertheless. A report from TuttoSport in Italy by way of Sport Witness says that Juventus star Danilo is being thought of.
The Brazilian had a spell in England with Manchester Metropolis and may play as a full-back on both facet. Now 33, his greatest days are firmly behind him however he does not less than possess the positional consciousness that Partey lacks.
In FourFourTwo’s view, this deal could also be a non-starter with Brazilian golf equipment mentioned to have laid the groundwork over this transfer. An improve on Partey is important, nevertheless, with Arsenal’s eighth-most costly signing ever letting his group down out of possession far too typically this season.
The Brazilian is value €4 million, in line with Transfermarkt.
