Thomas Partey has been preferred to the right-back role recently by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta instead of his comfortable midfield position. The
Thomas Partey has been preferred to the right-back role recently by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta instead of his comfortable midfield position.
The makeshift defender was criticized severely by fans and pundits after failing to mark Aston Villa’s striker Ollie Watkins who scored to make it 2-2 in the late kick-off on Saturday night in the English Premier League.
The draw helped league leaders Liverpool extend their lead to 6 points over Arsenal in the title race.
Arsenal took a commanding 2-0 lead through Martinelli and Kai Havertz. Tielemans pulled one back before Watkins connected Matt Cash’s cross to score to restore parity.
Former Arsenal defender and SkySports pundit Paul Merson was not happy at all with the way Partey defended Watkins
“I don’t know what Partey was thinking. Certain players let Arteta down. Thomas Partey has played for one of the most disciplined teams in the whole of Europe at Atletico Madrid and you cannot do that. That cannot win you league titles. Thomas is on his man (Watkins) and then just leaves him to score. You won’t see a worse defensive goal than that all weekend. They were schoolboy errors.”
Many football fans have criticized Merson for singling out Partey and blaming him for the draw.
Arsenal fans have demanded a proper right back because Ben White has been injured throughout the entire season but Arteta has made no plans to sign one. His trust in Partey, a midfielder cost the club the three points which has given Liverpool a huge advantage in the title race now.
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