“He’s better than anybody including Declan Rice”- Man City star Kevin De Bruyne puts rivalry aside and delivers a shocking verdict on Arsenal’s midfielder who is better than Declan Rice and must be protected if Arsenal must win the PL title- Not Odegard, and not Havertz

Kevin De Bruyne says Arsenal have a midfielder who’s even better than Declan Rice

Kevin De Bruyne has named Thomas Partey ahead of Declan Rice as Arsenal’s best midfielder when everybody’s fit.

Apart from the last few games, Arsenal have had a solid season. Yes, they have fallen behind Liverpool now, but they have what it takes to get right back to the top, especially when Partey returns from his long-term injury.

Kevin De Bruyne says Thomas Partey is Arsenal’s best midfielder

Arsenal signed Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid back in October 2020.

The Ghanaian was viewed by many as the new Patrick Vieira when he joined the club, but injuries have been really cruel to him in his Arsenal career.

Since joining the club, Partey has missed a total of 63 games for club and country. He has been ruled out of the African Cup of Nations as well now, which means he isn’t expected to be back in action for a few more weeks at least. 

De Bruyne, however, is still a big fan of Partey. He has claimed that no other midfielder at Arsenal – not even Declan Rice – is as good as the Ghana international when he is fit.

The City star said on Highbury: “Arsenal fans are licking their lips thinking of Declan Rice beside Thomas Partey, but because Thomas Partey wasn’t there and Declan Rice was doing such a great job, they didn’t miss him.

“The fact of the matter is, when Thomas Partey is fit, he is a starter in our first 11. No matter what people say about he’s injury-prone and all this kind of thing, yeah he’s struggled with injury. 

“But, when he’s fit, there’s no better midfielder in that side, especially in the holding one, than Thomas Partey because the way Thomas Partey plays – Thomas Partey knows how to play that position better than anybody.”

Arsenal need Thomas Partey back

Thomas Partey has started just three games in the Premier League for Arsenal this season.

He has played just 15 minutes of football since September, and although the Gunners have mostly done well without him, his absence has been noticeable in their recent games. 

It is still unclear when Partey will be back from his injury. He had to undergo surgery a few months ago, so the Gunners are taking their time with him and not rushing him back.

Once he’s back, though, Arsenal will become a much stronger side, and if they can keep him fit until the end of the campaign, they have every chance of winning the Premier League title.