this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2024
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Did anybody notice how Partey was playing? In open play he still had a few issues, but I think he was one of the best players once Arsenal was settled into a defensive block. He was tucked in next to Rice but unlike Rice, when the ball got near him he exploded out of his position to put pressure on the opposing player and really hurried them. By contrast, Rice was fine, but he was jogging into position and wasn't as effective at those pressures.
I honestly didn't think he had it in him anymore. It makes me wonder if this is something he learned and practiced under Simeone.
I also thought he was great in the second half, I guess because he has a shorter distance to go to intercept/press?
I'm sure the total distance covered is going to be relatively small since Arsenal just stayed in a low block for most of the 2nd half. But, still, those explosive movements do use energy. It was nice to see him doing something so well, when recently he has been one of the weak links in the team.
His explosiveness when it comes to interceptions and tackles were his star power when he first arrived. I hope he can continue to do it in future, though hopefully not because we're a man down (again).
I think we expected him to be good defensively when he first arrived, after all, we were buying an Atletico Madrid player who trained under Simeone. I think what was surprising and really useful was how good he was in possession. He would relieve pressure when Arsenal was being pressed by clever passes and good dribbling. That's the part of his game that seems to have disappeared lately. He turns into trouble instead of turning away from it, and his passes are often intercepted in dangerous areas.
Maybe he and Martinelli are experiencing similar funks. I've also seen Martinelli pass straight out of touch more times this season than for the entirety of his Arsenal career.