Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal star for ‘stepping up’ against Chelsea | Football

Arsenal thumped their London rivals on Tuesday night at the Emirates to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League and put pressure on title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.

While goalscorers Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Kai Havertz got a lot of plaudits, the efforts of defensive midfielder Partey did not go unnoticed.

The 30-year-old has missed almost all of the season through injury, with this only his second league start in eight months.

There was some concern that it might be too risky to throw the Ghana international straight back in in this very important game, but those fears quickly dissipated.

‘We thought it was a really good game for Thomas to come back. He looks like he’s in rhythm, he trained really well in the past few days,’ Arteta saud in his post-match press conference.

‘With the players they have we thought it was the right call to make. He stepped up.

‘He had a great performance. He was really important for the team.

‘We have missed Thomas since August, and he’s a big player for us, but that has given chances to other players. For Declan [Rice] to play as a No.6 and then rediscover him as a No.8.

‘Playing Kai as a No.9 too, and the contribution of Jorgi [Jorginho] has been absolutely phenomenal as well. The team has resources and has to find different ways of winning, acting and interchanging their qualities. I’m really happy.’

Arsenal’s midfield has played a huge role in their title push, though Partey’s performance may give Arteta a selection headache with the North London derby against Tottenham up next.

‘Also when you play Declan, Kai and Martin [Odegaard] and when you play Emile[Smith Rowe] in there and when you play Jorgi as well for sure because we’ve won some big games with him in there,’ the manager added.

‘Depends on the game, on the state, on the opponent as well. It’s great because everyone feels really important as well. I think that’s something really important there.’

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