Ghana midfielder Thomas Teye Partey delivered a masterclass performance in Arsenal 2-0 win over Paris Saint Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Arsenal secured their first win in the new Champions League format as they overcame Paris St-Germain at Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s side followed an opening draw with Atalanta by taking control with two first-half goals from Kai Havertz’s header and a free-kick from Bukayo Saka that drifted in past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
PSG had their moments, especially when Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves hit the woodwork either side of the break, but the platform for victory was established by a dominant first-half display from Arsenal.
Havertz put them ahead after 20 minutes when he beat Donnarumma to Leandro Trossard’s inviting cross to head home, before the keeper was deceived by Saka’s set-piece from near the touchline as he was unsighted in a packed penalty area.
Partey had 34 touches of the ball before he was substituted and won one ground duel. He also had 93% passing accuracy after completing 27 passes out of 29.
The Ghana international was pulled out by Mikel Arteta for Mikel Merino who joined the Gunners from La Liga side Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window to mark his debut for the London-based outfit.
Merino had to wait this long to make his bow because he fractured his shoulder during his first training after colliding with Gabriel Magalhães, and had to be sidelined for several weeks.
The game marked Partey’s 102 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, starting 85 with six goals and three assists and the box-to-box midfielder will be hoping to start again during the weekend when Arsenal host Southampton before the international break.
