Thomas Partey’s Ghanaian teammate, Kwesi Appiah, believes the player is one that will really suit Arsenal’s style after he sealed a £45m deadline day move to London.

Atletico Madrid's Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey (L) celebrates with Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward Angel Correa after scoring during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 14, 2020. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)
Atletico Madrid’s Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey (L) celebrates with Atletico Madrid’s Argentine forward Angel Correa after scoring during the Spanish league football match between Valencia CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on February 14, 2020. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)

It was a transfer to get Arsenal fans everywhere excited.

When it was finally announced and also revealed that Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid were angry after months of refusing to even speak to Arsenal, well, it was just that little bit sweeter.

The 27-year-old midfielder is believed to have penned a four-year deal with Arsenal worth a reported £200k-per-week, making him one of the highest earners at the club but also demonstrating the type of wages Arsenal will continue having to pay if they want the best players.

Partey will, it seems, be money well spent, however.

“Under [Mikel] Arteta they [Arsenal] are playing a lot of ball possession and playing out from the back and that will really suit his style because he is very comfortable on the ball,” Appiah told BBC Sport.

“Obviously playing in Spain is a very technical league as well so there is a lot of ball possession and passes being made so it will suit him very well.

“The top teams in England play that way as well so you are looking at a player who is going to fit in quite easily.

“You look at Manchester United and the way [Bruno] Fernandes and the way he has taken the Premier League on so I see it as being a similar transition for Thomas.

“He has got that quality and style of play that Arsenal are looking to play so it will be a perfect match.

“He is a very nice guy down-to-earth and he is confident guy he speaks well he will get on well with the players,” Appiah added.

“There some personalities there [at Arsenal] that will match his energy and playfulness as well so I am sure he will fit in very well in the dressing room and be one of the leaders amongst the players as well.”

Thomas Partey stats

Atletico Madrid' Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey controls the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Huesca against Club Atletico de Madrid at the El Alcoraz stadium in Huesca on September 30, 2020. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid’ Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey controls the ball during the Spanish league football match SD Huesca against Club Atletico de Madrid at the El Alcoraz stadium in Huesca on September 30, 2020. (Photo by Pau BARRENA / AFP) (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

Numbers are either totals or average where common sense dictates

  • Appearances: 206
  • Minutes: 13,311
  • Goals: 19
  • Assists: 10
  • Yellows: 53
  • Reds: 1
  • Shots-per-game: 0.9
  • Percentage of shots from outside the box: 70
  • Key Passes: 0.6
  • Average number of passes: 37.9
  • Pass success %: 83.2
  • Crosses: 0.1
  • Long balls: 2.5
  • Through balls: 0.029
  • Aerials won: 1.2
  • Tackles: 2.1
  • Interceptions: 1.5
  • Fouls: 1.1
  • Fouled: 0.8
  • Offsides: 0
  • Clearances: 0.9
  • Dribbles: 1.2
  • Dribbled past: 0.9
  • Blocks: 0.2
  • Dispossessed: 0.7
  • Bad control: 0.8
  • Own goals: 1
  • MotM: 18
  • Average rating: 6.95

Note: Partey’s average rating has trended upwards and his early years bring his figure down. For 20/21 so far he is rated at 7.09 while for 19/20 it was 7.08 in La Liga, but 7.55 in the Champions League.

stats via whoscored.com