Thomas Partey's new Arsenal role could unlock Bukayo Saka masterplan

Former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre has given insight on the reason behind Thomas Partey being deployed as a full-back.

The holding midfielder has ostensibly been listed at right-back during Arsenal’s first two league games of the new season. Far from being an orthodox full-back, though, Partey repeatedly makes inverted runs from the right flank to join up with Arsenal’s midfield.

It is a decision that has puzzled some supporters and pundits alike, raising doubts that Partey is less effective when not used in his preferred role. However, Silvestre has explained the reasons behind Arteta’s thinking and how it can help bring the best out of Bukayo Saka.

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“It’s (Partey as right-back) something they have worked on in training. The idea is to spread the field and spread the team and the space,” Silvestre told Betting Expert.

“With Rice in midfield, Partey can spread the space and move out to the right side of the pitch, but he’s not a right back. It’s an option that can be triggered whenever the space is there for him to take the position, but we can’t call him a right-back now. It was more of having Saka further up the field.”

Saka, 21, is already off the mark for the season with his stunning strike against Nottingham Forest during the team’s opening game. The England international notched 11 goals and recorded 14 assists in 38 league games as Arsenal battled Manchester City for the title last term and will be looking to improve on that tally.

When asked about the new elements of his tactical plan in the win over Forest, Arteta replied, “That’s my job — to create bigger problems to the opponent than the ones they are