Thomas Partey can reach Patrick Vieira's heights for Arsenal, says Roy Keane
Keane: "I had my battles with Vieira and I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick used to do." - Arsenal's £45m signing from Atletico Madrid was key to their pressing game as they won at Old Trafford for the first time since 2006
Monday 2 November 2020 17:22, UK
Roy Keane insists Thomas Partey can reach the heights of Patrick Vieira at Arsenal after his man-of-the-match show in the win at Manchester United.
Partey was a huge part of Arsenal's pressing game at Old Trafford as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second-half penalty gave them a first win at a "big-six" rival since 2015, a run stretching back 29 games.
How Mikel Arteta's perfect plan worked - Download the Pitch to Post Podcast on Apple | Spotify
Partey, a £45m Deadline Day signing from Atletico Madrid, drew high praise from both Sky Sports pundits and his manager Mikel Arteta, with a major comparison made to Gunners legend Vieira by Keane, who knows a thing or two about battles with the Frenchman.
- Man Utd 0-1 Arsenal - Match report and highlights
- Premier League table | Fixtures | Results
- How Man Utd and Arsenal lined up | Match stats
Keane: Partey can match Vieira
Sky Sports' Roy Keane:
Trending
- Entertaining start as Man Utd and Bournemouth go toe-to-toe LIVE!
- Everton vs Chelsea LIVE!
- Wolves take on Leicester in Pereira's first game in charge LIVE!
- Juric in the stands as Southampton visit Fulham LIVE! & highlights
- Celtic held by stubborn Dundee Utd LIVE! & highlights
- World Darts Championship LIVE! Van Duijvenbode in action, Cullen to come
- Tottenham vs Liverpool preview: Slot offers Bradley & Konate updates
- Fury rages: I was robbed... Usyk got a Christmas gift!
- World Darts Championship schedule: Anderson headlines Sunday's action
- Highlights: Usyk overcomes Fury in epic heavyweight rematch
"He was outstanding. He's obviously no mug having played in big games. When you watch a player live that's when you can judge a player and the more I look at him the more I wish he was in the United midfield. He's big, strong and aggressive - and he can pass it forward. He can deal with the ball.
"I had my battles with Vieira and I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick used to do."
Redknapp: He's a throwback
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
"He's a bit of a throwback. I don't look at him as just a No 6, a No 8 or a defensive midfielder, I just think of him as a really good midfield player that can do everything. I think back to the likes of Patrick Viera and Emmanuel Petit - that was the was golden era.
"Arsenal had a desire and energy to get the ball back. They were better in every department. Gabriel was magnificent and Partey was the best player on the pitch. He looks like an incredible signing."
Arteta: It's getting harder to pick the team
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta:
"He was really good, I wouldn't like to go to individuals. It's getting harder and harder to pick out the team, whoever I'm picking they play with a lot of courage."
Player ratings: Partey gets a 9/10
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew:
"Partey showed exactly why Arsenal paid the £45m required to sign him on Deadline Day from Atletico Madrid. A huge presence for the Gunners alongside Elneny, who he struck up an excellent partnership with.
"Another key component of Arsenal's new spine and Arteta will be hoping to see much more of that in the coming weeks and months. Top for Arsenal touches, possession won, tackles and interceptions and dribbles completed."
What's next?
Arsenal host Molde in the Europa League on Thursday at 8pm, and then welcome Aston Villa to the Emirates at 7.15pm on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
