Arsenal’s deadline-day signing Thomas Partey received a warm welcome from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Ian Wright on his first day at the club.
The Gunners signed Ghana midfielder Partey from Atletico Madrid earlier in the month after paying his £45m release clause.
Partey won the Europa League and reached the Champions League final during his time in Madrid and will hope for more success at the Emirates.
The 27-year-old has his first day at Arsenal’s training centre on Tuesday and Aubameyang, Lacazette and Wright were among those to welcome him to the club.
After being interviewed by Arsenal’s digital team, Partey bumped into Gunners legend Wright, who scored 185 goals for the Premier League club and starred in their 1997-98 title triumph.
Wright told Arsenal’s new signing: ‘I can’t touch my guy! Be yourself man because I know busy you are. Take it easy. Go do your stuff. Good to see you my friend. It’s Partey time baby!’
Partey is also seen meeting his new Arsenal team-mates Aubameyang and Lacazette, as well as manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu.
Speaking this week, Partey said he was excited to link up with ‘great players’ like Aubameyang at Arsenal.
He said: ‘It helps me understand that the club wants to achieve greater things and for me it is great to play alongside great players like him.’
Partey added: ‘I think it’s a great challenge, I want to experience new challenges and also in a great family like Arsenal, I am ready to give it my all and try to help this great club come back to where they belong.
‘I still have much to develop, I still have more to learn with this new family. I will have to learn more things to achieve all my goals, and achieve the goals of the club as well.’
After Arsenal secured a deal for Partey, Gunners boss Arteta said: ‘We have been watching Thomas for a while, so we’re now delighted to add such a high-quality player to our squad.
‘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.’
