Thomas Partey yellow cards are likely to become an issue this season for Arsenal but that just means he’s a true Gunner who’s settling in.

Thomas Partey Yellow cards: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Thomas Partey of Arsenal is substituted on for Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Thomas Partey of Arsenal is substituted on for Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on October 17, 2020 in Manchester (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

It is one of the Premier League’s peculiarities that a side labelled as soft and afraid of a fight frequently pick up more yellow cards than any other side in the division, but that’s where we stand with Arsenal over the last couple of seasons.

Thomas Partey signed for Arsenal on deadline day when Arsenal triggered his £45m release clause, much to the annoyance of Atletico Madrid.

Partey made his Arsenal debut from the bench against Manchester City on 17 October, playing seven minutes and picking up a yellow card. Thomas made his full debut against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on 22 October 2020. He was also booked in that game after just 34 minutes.

Serving two yellow card suspensions last season for totting up, it is natural, therefore, to expect him to see similar time on the sidelines with Arsenal, especially given how quick Premier League refs are to book Arsenal players.

In fact, you could almost bet on it with Partey serving two yellow card suspensions in each of the last three seasons.

Thomas Partey yellow cards with Atletico Madrid

Thomas Partey Yellow cards: MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 20: Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid is shown a yellow card by referee Felix Zwayer during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 20: Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid is shown a yellow card by referee Felix Zwayer during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 First Leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on February 20, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Partey picked up 45 yellows in 188 games with Atletico Madrid, a rate of around one booking every four games but the midfielder has never received a straight red card and only one of his 45 yellows turned into a sending off.

To compare, Granit Xhaka has 51 yellows (23/12/20) in 182 games, a rate of one every three-and-a-half games. None of those yellows, however, have gone red and the two straight reds he has during his Arsenal career remain those two issued by Jon Moss.

In short, both Partey and Xhaka seem to know how to play on a booking which is handy skill to have in the Arsenal midfield these days.

Partey even managed to be named Man of the Match while playing on his latest.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - OCTOBER 22: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on as he gives instructions to his side during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Rapid Wien and Arsenal FC at Allianz Stadion on October 22, 2020 in Vienna, Austria. Rapid Wien are allowing a limited number of 3000 spectators to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by Chris Hofer/Getty Images)
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 22: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal looks on as he gives instructions to his side during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Rapid Wien and Arsenal FC at Allianz Stadion on October 22, 2020 in Vienna, Austria. Rapid Wien are allowing a limited number of 3000 spectators to be in attendance as Covid-19 pandemic restrictions are eased. (Photo by Chris Hofer/Getty Images)

Speaking after Arsenal’s opening Europa League game on 22 October and ahead of their league game against Leicester on 25 October, Mikel Arteta said of Partey, “I was really impressed [with his performance against Rapid Vienna] because he looked really confident, he grabbed the game in the most difficult period, he took responsibility, he was really comfortable on the ball, he made a lot of right decisions, he was really strong in the challenges in every transition moment.

“I was impressed.”