By Kwame Bediako
Thomas Partey was one of the undoubted stars of the show alongside Declan Rice as Arsenal dismantled the defending European Champions, Real Madrid, 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium. The Ghanaian midfielder was at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, dictating the pace of the game and controlling the tempo with ease.
Partey’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal, with an impressive 92% pass accuracy, 6 recoveries, 4 duels won and 7 passes into the final third. These statistics only tell part of the story, however. The real magic was in the way Partey seemed to glide effortlessly across the pitch, picking out passes and finding space where none seemed to exist.
What was most impressive about Partey’s performance was his ability to read the game and anticipate the movements of his opponents. He consistently won the ball back from Real Madrid’s midfielders and then proceeded to distribute it to his teammates with precision and accuracy. This allowed Arsenal to maintain possession and build attacks from the back, leaving Real Madrid’s defence scrambling to keep up.
Partey’s performance was not just about his individual skill, however. He was also an integral part of Arsenal’s team effort, working tirelessly to support his teammates and provide a link between defense and attack. His energy and endurance were evident throughout the game, and he was always willing to put in a tackle or make a recovery to win the ball back.
The 31-year-old’s performance was a masterclass in midfield play. He demonstrated a level of intelligence, vision and technical ability that is rare in modern football. His ability to control the tempo of the game and dictate the flow of play was a key factor in Arsenal’s dominance over Real Madrid.
He has consistently demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level, and his display against Real Madrid was just another example of his class. With players like Partey in their ranks, Arsenal have a good chance of making a deep run in the Champions League.
