‘I’M A HUGE FAN OF HIM’: Yaya Toure says he’s a huge fan of one ‘brilliant’ Arsenal star PLAYER
Premier League and Manchester City legend Yaya Toure is a huge fan of Mikel Arteta’s ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal while singling out Thomas Partey for praise, speaking to talkSPORT (7 March, 12.30pm).
Partey, some 14 months ago, rated his first season-and-a-half at Emirates Stadium at a lowly 4/10. Flash forward to March 2022, and the Ghana international’s remarkable upturn arguably reflects that of Arsenal as a whole.
Both club and player have come on leaps and bounds since then; transforming themselves from self-destructing underachievers into arguably the best in the land. Arsenal have only lost one of the 21 Premier League games in which Partey has played so far this term, the former Atletico Madrid enforcer belatedly justifying his £45 million price-tag.
“Brilliant. Brilliant. It is nice to see,” smiles Toure when quizzed about Partey’s imperious form.
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The Ivorian legend knows what it takes to drag a team to Premier League glory; the driving force behind three Premier League title triumphs at the Etihad. And, while Manchester City will always have a special place in his heart, Toure is enthralled by the impact former City coach Arteta has made in North London.
“Every weekend, when Arsenal play, I have to watch it. Its unbelievable,” adds the former Barcelona and Monaco star.
“Between Arsenal and City, its going to be tough. Breathtaking.”
Reiss Nelson’s searing 97th minute strike against Bournemouth ensured that Arsenal maintained their five-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in top spot last weekend; a goal that had all the hallmarks of potential champions. Right down to the timing, and the wild celebrations.
“My initial thoughts and feelings are (to be) devastated,” O’Neil sighs. “Especially at the last goal. Such a good strike. He won’t hit one like that too often. So, yeah, it was a big blow. Most teams that come here get dispatched very easily and (we) didn’t. They worked their socks off.
“My initial thoughts and feelings are (to be) devastated,” sighs Cherries boss Gary O’Neil. “Especially at the last goal. Such a good strike. (Nelson) won’t hit one like that too often. So, yeah, it was a big blow. Most teams that come here get dispatched very easily and (we) didn’t. They worked their socks off.
“The lads put in an awful lot of work, and you suffer to an incredible strike from the edge of the box with maybe two or three kicks of the game left.”
