Audio By Carbonatix
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to play Thomas Partey in defence during the club's opening Premier League fixture on Saturday, August 12.
Partey started in right-back as the Gunners secured a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at home, a decision many were surprised to see.
The Ghanaian was deployed in defence despite the arrival of Jurriem Timber from Ajax this summer and the availability of other options.
However, Partey went on to star for the North London side as they claimed victory in their first game of the season.
Arteta, after the game, spoke about the rationale behind the decision to give the former Atletico Madrid midfielder that role against Forest.
“We expected a game that actually happened and we needed somebody else there in midfield to do what we have to do the best, and have more fluidity and occupy certain spaces in relation to how they were defending," he said.
"I think it worked really well."
Goals from Black Stars target Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka were enough for Arsenal despite a late goal from Taiwo Awoniyi.
Latest Stories
-
He entered at eight. He is now 16: Ghana’s children growing up in prayer camps
2 minutes -
‘Development must not always begin from Accra’ — Anwelle Foundation launched in Jirapa
4 minutes -
PKO trio eye victories at Odwira Festival
3 hours -
346 Ghana Navy recruits pass out after 26 weeks of intensive training
3 hours -
Newsfile to discuss EOCO-MP arrest, drug trafficking, speech arrests and $235m water debt
3 hours -
JoyNews gets results as listeners raise GH¢40,000 to help 17-year-old student with cerebral palsy attend SHS
4 hours -
Vice President calls for stronger local pharmaceutical production to reduce medicine imports
4 hours -
The brewing tension at KNUST; Beware the Ides of October….
4 hours -
Health Ministry moves to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare
5 hours -
550 pupils in Kintampo South get educational lifeline as ‘Seeds of Hope’ reaches farming communities
5 hours -
Opoku Mensah urges Christian Council, House of Chiefs to speak up on democratic freedoms
5 hours -
Teacher unions’ strike: Minority demands immediate payment of teacher arrears, 20% deprived area allowance
5 hours -
The Accra-Kumasi Expressway: Building it right
6 hours -
Beyond gold exports: Building value and economic resilience from Ghana’s gold
6 hours -
2027 AFCONQ: Ghana under pressure as Gambia beat Somalia 2-1
6 hours