Arsenal: Thomas Partey sings his initiation song to the squad
Arsenal hero Paul Merson admits he is shocked his former club managed to sign Thomas Partey this summer. Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day after the Gunners activated his £45million release. But Merson thinks the Ghana international is good enough to have joined either Manchester United or Manchester City instead.
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Arsenal news: Thomas Partey is aiming to win silverware at the Emirates (Image: EXPRESS)
“When you talk about signings in the summer, he's got to be number one. I cannot believe, without being horrible here, that Arsenal got him.
"I don't mean that in a horrible way, they're all crying out for it - I know Manchester United are top-heavy and they've got Fred, [Scott] McTominay and [Nemanja] Matic, but they haven't got a Partey.
“Manchester City, too. Fernandinho's coming towards the end, Rodri hasn't really pulled up any trees. You're thinking, 'Wow, who didn't see this?'”
United legend Roy Keane wishes his former side signed Partey and can see the midfielder matching the achievements of former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira.
"He’s obviously no mug having played in big games. When you watch a player live that’s when you can judge a player and the more I look at him the more I wish he was in the United midfield.
"He’s big, strong and aggressive – and he can pass it forward. He can deal with the ball.
"I had my battles with Vieira and I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick used to do."
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