Thomas Partey: Arsenal 'wanted someone else' says pundit
Atletico Madrid have been left "more upset" with Thomas Partey than Arsenal following the player's move to the Gunners, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. Partey completed a £45million transfer to Arsenal late on deadline day after his release clause was triggered by the north London club. However, Atletico and manager Diego Simeone have been left fuming at how events panned out.
Arsenal did not contact Atletico to tell them they were about to activate the clause.
But Partey's part in the transfer has angered the La Liga club more, according to Balague.
He claims the 27-year-old's decision not to tell Atletico that he was undergoing a medical in Madrid was deemed "unacceptable" by his now former employers.
Partey had spent nine years at Atletico, five of which were part of Simeone's first-team squad.
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Arsenal news: Thomas Partey will be aiming to build on the Gunners' success from last season (Image: EXPRESS)
"He is a dynamic midfielder with great energy. He brings a lot of experience from a top club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
"We’re very impressed with his attitude and his approach to the game.
"He’s an intelligent footballer and we’re looking forward to him integrating into our system and contributing to the progress we’re building at the moment at the club.”
Meanwhile, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara claims Partey can help Arsenal regain Champions League qualification.
“You’d have to say yes, he’s fantastic signing," O'Hara said on talkSPORT.
“This season is obviously crazy with the results already happening and I think Arsenal look like a team that have a philosophy now with Mikel Arteta.
“I think they need a player like him, he was one of the missing pieces on their squad and they’ve addressed it.
“It’s a brilliant signing, he’s a very good player.
“I watched him when they played against Liverpool at Anfield last season and he was absolutely fantastic, he tore Liverpool apart."
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