Arsenal legend Ian Wright has named the ideal midfield partner for Thomas Partey.
Partey joined the Gunners on a deal worth £45million from Atletico Madrid in the summer, and after a difficult start due to injuries, he is now starting to show why he commanded such a high fee.
But in an Arsenal side that has struggled this season, despite booking their place in the Europa League semi-finals during the week, Partey might just need another talented player next to him.
Or at least that's according to Ian Wright, who believes Brighton star Yves Bissouma could be the man to partner Partey amid talk of a Seagulls exit.
"You need someone next to [Thomas] Partey of real calibre," Wright told Optus Sport’s The Kelly and Wrighty Show.
"People keep mentioning [Yves] Bissouma, if only. Someone like Bissouma, but Arsenal have to be in European competition.
"We need that player next to him, we want to play out the back – get it to Partey, and have that solidity of Partey and – I know I’m dreaming, but Bissouma – to get the people to a player like [Martin] Odegaard, if he stays. A massive if."
It's a massive if indeed with the latest reports claiming Real Madrid see Odegaard as 'untouchable' ahead of the summer, the Spanish giants having little interest of allowing the Norwegian to leave on a permanent deal.
Partey, on the other hand, is here to stay having penned a five-year contract upon signing for the Gunners, and he has made 27 appearances so far across all competitions.
That's despite missing as many as 17 games so far through injuries. The 27-year-old had amassed an impressive injury record across five years in Atletico's first team, missing only six games during that time.
Though, despite troubles this season, he now looks to be fit and getting towards his best with the Gunners hoping to win the Europa League to secure qualification for Europe next season.
