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Arsenal signed Thomas Partey from Atlético de Madrid on the deadline after fulfilling his £ 45 million release clause.
Partey signed a long-term contract with the Emirates after completing his medical and paperwork just before the 11pm deadline on Monday.
He will wear the number 18 jersey and join his new teammates next week after he returns from international service with Ghana.
Partey has been a key player in Diego Simeone’s midfield since he burst into the first team from the Atlético youth academy in 2015.
Mikel Arteta said: “We have been watching Thomas for a while so now we are delighted to add such a high quality player to our team.
“He is a dynamic midfielder with a lot of energy. He brings a lot of experience from a first-rate club that has competed at the highest level in La Liga and the Champions League for several years.
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“We are very impressed with his attitude and approach to the game. He is a smart footballer and we are looking forward to him integrating himself into our system and contributing to the progress we are making at the moment at the club.”
Partey becomes Arsenal’s seventh signing of the summer as the club have already signed Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea and defender Gabriel de Lille for £ 27m.
The Gunners also agreed on permanent deals for defenders Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari, who had been on loan at the club, and extended the loan contract for Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos for a second year.
Goalkeeper Alex Runarsson was the club’s sixth signing, coming from Ligue 1 Dijon on a four-year contract.
Partey impressed against Liverpool during last season’s Champions League knockout tie
In recent weeks, Arsenal have also replaced Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar, but after his offer was rejected, they turned their attention back to the Atlético midfielder.
Lucas Torreira has moved in the opposite direction from Atlético de Madrid in a loan agreement until the end of the season and Matteo Guendouzi has signed for a German club Hertha Berlin on loan throughout the season.
Analysis: Partey strengthens Arsenal
Paul Merson from Sky Sports:
“I think Thomas Partey is a first-rate player. I almost fell off my chair with 45 million pounds, I don’t think it’s a lot of money for the quality of the player.
“One thing he also brings is discipline. Atlético de Madrid is probably one of the most disciplined teams in Europe and he will do it. He is not a midfielder who runs all over the place, he is very disciplined and plays in a disciplined team and I think that will be a great signing.
“I think what Mikel Arteta is doing, he is trying to get rid of the players who are not involved, he doesn’t want them hanging around and he wants them out. Fair play, I like what Arsenal are doing.
Background: The Rise of Thomas Partey
At Atlético, his ability became apparent long before he was loaned out. In fact, Javi Baños, a former youth coach there, only needed to see him play once, in a Youth friendly against Getafe, to be convinced that his trial period should be made permanent.
“It was quickly seen that he was a player with very advanced attributes for his age,” says Baños. Sky sports. “Above all, it was the precision of his passing. He was very effective in terms of his delivery. He also covered a lot of ground and positioned himself well on the field tactically.”
Read the full article on the rise of Partey
‘A surprise deadline day’ in the Emirates
Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
“It was a bit surprising with Arsenal. We didn’t think at the beginning of the day that they were going to get the midfielder they wanted, there was a lot of talk about Houssem Aouar in the last 48 hours, and then the one they were interested in from the beginning, Thomas. Partey, they knew they had to comply with that £ 45 million release clause, it was activated.
“They didn’t have to deal with Atlético de Madrid at all because the release clause works is that you go to La Liga headquarters and deposit the money. I’m not sure it was cash, I think it may have been just a check.” Then you can talk to the player. They have done it in a short time because it was a race against time for Arsenal trying to do this.
“It does not appear that a deal sheet was required for this, we have been told that he will be wearing the number 18 jersey, Thomas Partey has joined on a long term contract.”
Guendouzi joins Hertha Berlin on loan
Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has joined Hertha Berlin on loan for one season.
The French midfielder has exceeded the requirements at Arsenal since their 2-1 loss to Brighton on June 20, where he was involved in a post-match altercation with Neal Maupay.
Guendouzi, who joined the Lorient Gunners in 2018, is under contract at Emirates Stadium until 2022.
The 21-year-old has played 82 times for the club in all competitions, scoring once and giving five assists since his debut in August 2018.
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