Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has showered praise on Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey after a perfect start to the 2024-25 season's campaign.
The experienced central midfielder has been in fine form for the Gunners in their ambition to at least win the English Premier League title, having come very close in the past two seasons.
With Arsenal preparing to face Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, Arteta admits that the Black Stars deputy captain was for the first time in the right condition when he returned to the club after last season.
"He's a key player for us; he's a massive player, and we can see that week in, week out,” Arteta said.
"The way he came back post-holidays was probably the best condition that he’s been. Now it’s about managing him," he added.
Partey will leave London after the weekend game against Southampton and join his teammates for international duties as the Black Stars face Sudan in a double header in Group F of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
