Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour believes new signing Thomas Partey has the potential to follow in the footsteps of former Gunners captain Patrick Vieira.
Arsenal rounded off an excellent summer transfer window by securing the signature of Partey on transfer deadline day last week, after triggering the £45million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
Partey became Arsenal's sixth big-name signing of the summer, following on from the arrivals of Runar Alex Runarsson, Cedric Soares, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes and Willian.
Whilst the arrivals of Gabriel and Willian were big statements of intent shown by the Gunners hierarchy, the addition of Partey was the standout signing, with the Ghana international having been closely linked with a move to the club for several months.
Now that Partey is officially a Gunners player, former Arsenal man Parlour is looking forward to seeing how he adapts to life in England, as well as suggesting that he could turn out to be as good as Vieira.
"I am really looking forward to seeing Partey," Parlour told talkSPORT. "They needed a midfield enforcer which they didn't have last season and they didn't have the energy in midfield, which Partey will bring.
"I have seen him play quite a few times for Atletico and he is really effective, so I am looking forward to seeing how he copes in the Premier League as well.
"Hopefully he is going to play a major part if there is any success going forward for Arsenal, getting into the top four.
"I think [Mikel] Arteta highlighted him early and said: 'Right, he is the sort of player we need in that area,' as they are a little bit lightweight in the midfield at times.
"I know it is very difficult to get a replacement of Patrick Vieira, but they have not really got someone like him, and I think Partey could be close to being as good as Patrick."
Partey could make his Arsenal debut when Mikel Arteta's side face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
