Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has opened up about his return to Spain with the Gunners after joining Arsenal on transfer deadline day in 2020 from La Liga side Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £45 million (€50 million). Partey’s experience playing for Atletico Madrid has given him valuable insight into the Spanish football culture.
“We have to go there with a mentality to win. We want to win every game,” Partey said after drawing 1-1 with Brentford. As the only Arsenal player to have experienced the atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu, Partey has rallied his teammates to focus and get results when Arsenal travel to the Spanish capital.
The Black Stars deputy has witnessed firsthand the experiences as an Atletico Madrid player and will be an asset in midfield for Mikel Arteta against Real Madrid, who are masters of turning UEFA Champions League goal deficits. Declan Rice scored two devastating free kicks before Mikel Merino completed a second-half rout with Arsenal’s third goal in just 17 minutes.
Real Madrid players Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Lucas Vazquez expressed confidence about mounting a comeback. “We have to believe until the end,” Mbappe said. Bellingham added that they’d need “something unbelievably special” to overcome the deficit.
Partey was outstanding in the first leg, with impressive numbers: 90 minutes played, 77 touches, and 61 completed passes. His performance will be key to Arsenal’s chances. As one of the world’s elite midfielders, Partey’s flexibility, technical eye, and physical presence make him a valuable asset.
The Gunners will look to build on their strong start, with Declan Rice’s set-piece expertise and the clinical finishing of players like Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino proving crucial. Arsenal will aim to maintain their defensive solidity and capitalize on counter-attacks.
