Thomas Partey’s former Ghana coach Avram Grant has talked up the midfielder’s qualities and backed him to be a big success at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners swooped in on deadline day to secure the services of their top target by activating his £45 million release clause.
With only Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos and Mohamed Elneny as their previous options in midfield, Partey will provide some invaluable steel in the middle of the park.
Former Chelsea manager Grant – who gave the 27-year-old his first cap for Ghana – admitted the midfielder will need time to adapt to the English game, but will prove to be exactly what Arsenal needed.
‘I’d ask the Arsenal fans to give him a few weeks just to get used to English football, because it is still played differently in the Premier League to anywhere else, even if there are more foreign players now,’ Grant told SunSport.
‘But he will prove a good signing, perfect for what Mikel Arteta is trying to do.
‘When you need him to hold the ball up, he can do that and he is a great fit for what Arteta is trying to make his team.
‘He is a central midfielder, who will win the ball and play the right pass forward and can see the pitch, tactically disciplined as well and committed to his team.
‘And he will make a big difference to Arsenal, just like he did at Atletico. He is a really good signing, just what they needed.’
