Arsenal fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with manager Mikel Arteta for playing Thomas Partey out of position as a right-back in the Gunners’ draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.
On X (formerly Twitter), fans argued that Arsenal performs better when Partey is utilised in his natural midfield role.
Many expressed frustration, noting that Arsenal has failed to secure a victory in all four matches where Partey has been deployed at right-back this season.
Injuries and suspensions among Arsenal’s defensive ranks have forced Arteta to experiment with Partey in a defensive role.
While the Ghanaian international delivered a solid performance and ended the match as one of Arsenal’s top-rated players, the tactical switch has not yielded the desired results for the team.
Brighton frustrated the Gunners with a resilient display at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, January 5, 2024.
The stalemate leaves Arsenal in second place, with the possibility of trailing league leaders Liverpool by eight points, should Liverpool secure a win against Manchester United on Sunday.
Partey’s positional shift has become a focal point for fan debates, with many calling on Arteta to return him to his preferred midfield role to maximise the team’s potential.
EE/MA
Life without Thomas Partey in at 6 pic.twitter.com/fiN2ZkFZin
— THOMA5 (fan) (@ParteyHive) January 4, 2025
My heart bleeds every time Thomas Partey is not playing in midfield.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) January 4, 2025
Thomas Partey how can you be the best Rightback & Midfielder in the League wtf🙆🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/aNn4sqwmCv
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) January 4, 2025
Life without Thomas Partey at # 6 😭💔 pic.twitter.com/qQzAcvA7ZE
— 🐙 (@parteysznx) January 4, 2025
Thomas Partey plays in midfield: Arsenal wins comfortably.
Thomas Partey plays at right back: Arsenal drops points or struggles to win.
It’s not rocket science.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) January 4, 2025
Thomas Partey playing Rightback is a waste of one of the best midfielders in the League pic.twitter.com/B124y5LqRP
— UpYourArsenal🔴⚪🔴⚪♥️ (@UPYOURARSENAL04) January 4, 2025
He would have more impact in the midfield than the defense side. Let califiori plays right back and lewis at the left back. Take him back to the midfield. Merino is only effective in a game with low tempo
— onlygunnersnews (@onlygunnersnews) January 5, 2025
I totally agree I think Arteta has a bad decision making tendency he keeps making bad decisions that eventually cost us n they’re always towards the end of the season now tap the line up living very crucial players on bench wtf did he expect
— Certified Dream Chaser (@MarkGenius999) January 4, 2025
If Liverpool win the league, i don’t see saliba staying and once he is gone arteta should follow
— Ogunleye Elijah (@Mr_elevation1) January 4, 2025
Arteta can change formations to 3 4 2 1, 3 5 2 or 3 4 3 instead of wasting Partey on RB. Arteta should learn from mistakes…
— ➕È〽️⚕️✝️🔆🅿️É® (@TemitopeTemiT) January 5, 2025
We had no choice, no one to play there and he did great.
— Adeyanju dayo elijah (@Da18dy) January 4, 2025
Arteta and Merino is the current problem of Arsenal. Take note
— Flawlessammy (@shakashaka504) January 4, 2025
