Arsenal new boy Thomas Partey has admitted he is hoping to emulate the success of his compatriot and ‘idol’ Michael Essien in the Premier League.
Chelsea icon Essien won two titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League during a hugely successful eight-and-a-half-year stint at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2014.
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Partey, meanwhile, sealed a £45million deadline day move to the Gunners and has made an impressive start to life at the Emirates.
He was particularly solid in the 1-0 away victory over Manchester United earlier this month, earning huge praise for his showing.
The Ghana international told Arsenal’s official website: “He’s a fantastic midfielder. He fights for every ball, he’s a great legend. For me, he’s one of the best midfielders that we’ve ever had in Africa.
“I think we’ve all seen what he has done at Chelsea, what he has done for the Black Stars and for me, he’s my idol.
“I grew up watching Michael Essien, [Sulley] Muntari, the Ayew brothers – they are the people I look up to and they made a lot of impact on Ghanaians. I think this is my moment and I have to make sure I take it.”
Earlier this week Tony Adams called on Mikel Arteta to reinstate Mesut Ozil to his Arsenal squad, believing the arrival of summer signing Partey can reignite the German playmaker’s career in north London.
Arteta’s men have scored a meagre nine goals in their opening eight Premier League games this season and Adams believes Partey’s defensive qualities would allow Ozil to provide some much needed creativity.
“You’ve got a fantastic screen there now,” he told Sky Sports.
“Creativity may not be Partey’s game but what you have got is presence, you’ve got a leader.
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“I thought his performance against Manchester United was phenomenal. For me he was the best player on the pitch.
“He got around the pitch, he covered, he doubled up on the defending, he kept the lines very narrow, all the defending principles of a holding midfield player were excellently done by this guy. I was really excited.
“Watching that game for the first time in a long time I went, ‘wow, hallelujah’.
“Ozil, for me, is one of the best creative players in the world. What he struggles with at times is the defensive side of the game.”
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