“Arsenal fans express their affection but demand the departure of a £45M superstar this summer. Arteta and Edu have made the difficult decision to replace him with a player superior to De Jong.”
Arsenal’s resurgence in both the Premier League and Champions League this season, coupled with strategic transfer moves in recent years, positions them as contenders against top teams for the foreseeable future
In addition to strengthening the squad, Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar have made necessary adjustments, indicating it may be time to part ways with a prominent figure: Thomas Partey.
The case for Partey’s departure is grounded in his inconsistent availability despite his talent. Since joining Arsenal for £45m in October 2020, he has been sidelined for a significant number of games due to injuries, averaging around 18 missed games per season. His absence has been notable, particularly this season, where he has already missed 26 games.
If Arsenal lacked a replacement for the 30-year-old, retaining him might be considered. However, with the exceptional performance of the club’s £105m acquisition in the defensive midfield role, retaining Partey seems redundant.
Moreover, the valuation of Partey by the CIES Football Observatory at just €15m – £13m – suggests his market value may decline further. This makes offloading him in the upcoming summer transfer window a prudent move, especially with a promising Hale End graduate poised to step up and potentially form a long-term midfield partnership with Declan Rice.
Charlie Patino, the young English talent, has excelled in Arsenal’s youth setup and impressed during loan spells. His versatility, demonstrated by his ability to play various midfield roles effectively, adds another dimension to his potential contribution to the team. Patino’s recent loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea City have further showcased his capability and potential.
Given Partey’s limited role this season, Arteta and Edu should consider selling him in the summer transfer window, with Patino waiting in the wings to seize his opportunity in midfield.