Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has found himself occasionally playing as a right-back this season due to the arrival of Declan Rice, which has reduced his chances of being a regular starter in midfield.
Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020, has been an important player for the team, but this season presents new challenges. Declan Rice, an England international, joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window and has been a consistent starter in midfield alongside Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.
Partey has been deployed as a right-back and shifted to midfield when in possession. There were speculations about the player's future at Arsenal during the summer, with reports of the club being open to offers for him.
Journalist Paul Brown previously mentioned the possibility of Jorginho and Partey leaving Arsenal. With the transfer window now closed, the midfielder will remain with the club at least until January, but it's uncertain whether he will continue to be a key player under Mikel Arteta this season.
An injury to Jurrien Timber early in the season may have provided Partey with more opportunities to play. However, if Timber were fit, he would likely be the preferred choice at right-back, and Arteta seems to favor his current midfield trio of Odegaard, Rice, and Havertz.
According to Brown, it's unlikely that Partey will be a regular starter this season. He also suggests that his absence, due to an injury that will keep him out for around six weeks, may not be a significant loss for the team.
"So, if that's the way they want to go, I wouldn't have thought that Partey would be too badly missed over the next few weeks. He is still a useful member of the squad and I think when he's around he can make a difference. There will be times, perhaps, when Arsenal play with two anchor men and he slots in next to Declan Rice in certain games, but it doesn't look like he's going to be a starter too often this season," the journalist said on GIVEMESPORT.
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