Country: England
Less fuss, more forward thrust: Analysing how Thomas Partey improves Arsenal
By James McNicholas
Your eyes tell you that when Thomas Partey plays, Arsenal move the ball quicker. Now, it seems, the numbers do, too. In Arsenal’s engine room, it is Partey who has turned the throttle.
At times this season, Arsenal have been a Jekyll-and-Hyde team. There have been halves when they have looked limp and lifeless — and others, such as the recent 4-2 victory over Leeds United, in which they have been dynamic and dangerous.
The integration of Emile Smith Rowe as a creative outlet was undoubtedly a turning point for this team, yet even since then, there have been occasions when Arsenal matches have been turgid affairs. Another key factor would appear to be the availability of summer signing Thomas Partey.
Since joining from Atletico Madrid for €50 million on the final day of the transfer window last October, Partey has only been fit enough to start nine Premier League games. When Partey plays, his impact appears transformative. But what is it the 27-year-old offers that makes him so important? How does he differ from Arsenal’s other midfield options? For this piece, The Athletic chose to study two very different halves of football Arsenal have produced — one with Partey, and one without.
It was important to pick two halves after Smith Rowe’s introduction to the team, as that fundamentally changed the manner in which Arsenal played. We chose the first halves of the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on January 14 and the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on February 2. Arsenal laboured against Palace but, while Mikel Arteta’s team ultimately lost at Molineux, they produced a scintillating opening half — one of their best to date.
The first half against Palace saw Arsenal have 61.7 per cent possession, but they converted that into just two shots. At Wolves, they had 54.5 per cent of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but were able to use that to fashion six attempts at goal.
One of the criticisms of Arsenal’s performance against Palace — and indeed many of their more underwhelming performances this season — has been their tendency to dally on the ball. It’s certainly the case that some of their playmakers seem to hold on to the ball before releasing it. To investigate this further, The Athletic has studied the performances of David Luiz and Granit Xhaka in both games, as well as Partey and his replacement against Palace, Dani Ceballos.
Although Xhaka is frequently criticised for being slow on the ball, these numbers show he is relatively efficient — and consistent — in how many touches he takes before moving possession on. There is a significant difference, however, between Ceballos and Partey, with the Ghanaian averaging one less touch of the ball before releasing it. In one instance against Palace, Ceballos took fully 11 touches before the ball reached a team-mate. Against Wolves, Partey never took more than five.
There is a striking difference too between the performances of David Luiz. In some ways, it is inevitable central defenders will have more touches — they operate in more space, and against low blocks tend to come under less pressure. However, the Wolves match shows that Luiz is capable of moving the ball quicker — and that Arsenal benefit when he does.
It helps to have players to pick out. Another aspect in which Partey improves Arsenal’s ability to progress the ball is through his positioning. Xhaka (34) and Ceballos (8) both have a tendency to want to drop deep to receive the ball — they are better with the game in front of them. This means they tend to play on a similar plane, which contributes to the tendency to play sideways passes. To an extent, Xhaka and Ceballos replicate each other.
As this average position map shows, Partey (18) is prepared to receive the ball higher up the field. When he is paired with Xhaka, Arsenal’s double pivot play on the slant. This gives Xhaka and Luiz an early option for a forward pass.
Crucially, there were more forward passes against Wolves and, again, much of that was down to Partey: 40 per cent of his passes went forward, as opposed to 24 per cent of Ceballos’ against Palace. Once again, Xhaka’s numbers are pretty consistent, but there’s a notable improvement at Molineux from Luiz. After playing 23.5 per cent of his passes forward against Palace, he was able to play 32.4 per cent forward against Wolves.
It’s not just passing that means Partey makes Arsenal more progressive — it’s his ability to dribble the ball, too. Of Arsenal’s four options to play in the double pivot, Opta stats suggest he attempts the most dribbles per 90 mins, and has a success rate almost as good as Ceballos.
Interestingly, with a couple more appearances under their belt, both Martin Ødegaard and Joe Willock would also appear in this table.
When Arsenal first sat down with Partey to discuss the prospect of a move to London, the player made clear that he felt he had more to offer than he’d been able to show in the defensive role he played for Atletico Madrid. That much is already apparent. Ceballos and Xhaka showed signs against Leeds that their partnership is improving, but Partey makes Arsenal significantly more direct and dynamic. For Arsenal fans, his return can’t come soon enough.
By James McNicholas
Your eyes tell you that when Thomas Partey plays, Arsenal move the ball quicker. Now, it seems, the numbers do, too. In Arsenal’s engine room, it is Partey who has turned the throttle.
At times this season, Arsenal have been a Jekyll-and-Hyde team. There have been halves when they have looked limp and lifeless — and others, such as the recent 4-2 victory over Leeds United, in which they have been dynamic and dangerous.
The integration of Emile Smith Rowe as a creative outlet was undoubtedly a turning point for this team, yet even since then, there have been occasions when Arsenal matches have been turgid affairs. Another key factor would appear to be the availability of summer signing Thomas Partey.
Since joining from Atletico Madrid for €50 million on the final day of the transfer window last October, Partey has only been fit enough to start nine Premier League games. When Partey plays, his impact appears transformative. But what is it the 27-year-old offers that makes him so important? How does he differ from Arsenal’s other midfield options? For this piece, The Athletic chose to study two very different halves of football Arsenal have produced — one with Partey, and one without.
It was important to pick two halves after Smith Rowe’s introduction to the team, as that fundamentally changed the manner in which Arsenal played. We chose the first halves of the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on January 14 and the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on February 2. Arsenal laboured against Palace but, while Mikel Arteta’s team ultimately lost at Molineux, they produced a scintillating opening half — one of their best to date.
The first half against Palace saw Arsenal have 61.7 per cent possession, but they converted that into just two shots. At Wolves, they had 54.5 per cent of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but were able to use that to fashion six attempts at goal.
One of the criticisms of Arsenal’s performance against Palace — and indeed many of their more underwhelming performances this season — has been their tendency to dally on the ball. It’s certainly the case that some of their playmakers seem to hold on to the ball before releasing it. To investigate this further, The Athletic has studied the performances of David Luiz and Granit Xhaka in both games, as well as Partey and his replacement against Palace, Dani Ceballos.
Although Xhaka is frequently criticised for being slow on the ball, these numbers show he is relatively efficient — and consistent — in how many touches he takes before moving possession on. There is a significant difference, however, between Ceballos and Partey, with the Ghanaian averaging one less touch of the ball before releasing it. In one instance against Palace, Ceballos took fully 11 touches before the ball reached a team-mate. Against Wolves, Partey never took more than five.
There is a striking difference too between the performances of David Luiz. In some ways, it is inevitable central defenders will have more touches — they operate in more space, and against low blocks tend to come under less pressure. However, the Wolves match shows that Luiz is capable of moving the ball quicker — and that Arsenal benefit when he does.
It helps to have players to pick out. Another aspect in which Partey improves Arsenal’s ability to progress the ball is through his positioning. Xhaka (34) and Ceballos (8) both have a tendency to want to drop deep to receive the ball — they are better with the game in front of them. This means they tend to play on a similar plane, which contributes to the tendency to play sideways passes. To an extent, Xhaka and Ceballos replicate each other.
As this average position map shows, Partey (18) is prepared to receive the ball higher up the field. When he is paired with Xhaka, Arsenal’s double pivot play on the slant. This gives Xhaka and Luiz an early option for a forward pass.
Crucially, there were more forward passes against Wolves and, again, much of that was down to Partey: 40 per cent of his passes went forward, as opposed to 24 per cent of Ceballos’ against Palace. Once again, Xhaka’s numbers are pretty consistent, but there’s a notable improvement at Molineux from Luiz. After playing 23.5 per cent of his passes forward against Palace, he was able to play 32.4 per cent forward against Wolves.
It’s not just passing that means Partey makes Arsenal more progressive — it’s his ability to dribble the ball, too. Of Arsenal’s four options to play in the double pivot, Opta stats suggest he attempts the most dribbles per 90 mins, and has a success rate almost as good as Ceballos.
Interestingly, with a couple more appearances under their belt, both Martin Ødegaard and Joe Willock would also appear in this table.
When Arsenal first sat down with Partey to discuss the prospect of a move to London, the player made clear that he felt he had more to offer than he’d been able to show in the defensive role he played for Atletico Madrid. That much is already apparent. Ceballos and Xhaka showed signs against Leeds that their partnership is improving, but Partey makes Arsenal significantly more direct and dynamic. For Arsenal fans, his return can’t come soon enough.
*table images don't work within spoilers