Arsenal’s Thomas Partey put in another impressive performance, this time against Sporting Cp in the Champions League stage.

Remember when many Arsenal fans wanted to see Thomas Partey go? Granted, that thought was feasible just a few months ago, but Partey’s redemption story is now gaining momentum.

After his efforts against Nottingham Forest last weekend, the midfielder picked up where he left off in Lisbon, with his progressive passing a hallmark, not to mention his ability to help control the center of the park and his delicious dink to Bukayo Saka to release. to reach Kai Havertz’s goal and double Arsenal’s lead.

In the 5-1 defeat of Sporting CP, Partey looked like the “Partey of old”, controlling the midfield, playing progressive passes and being able to relieve the pressure on his team with several well-timed long balls.

And boss Mikel Arteta was impressed with another super performance from his midfielder.

“I think it’s one of the best performances I’ve seen from him, especially the way he dominated the game, so that’s the level he can play at. He’s making progress,” Arteta said, via arsenal.com. “This year he’s been so consistent because he’s always playing a role. That’s a big thing. He’s a huge player for us.”

Once dubbed the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the Gunners midfield, Partey has struggled with injuries and form over the past 12 months, but this season he appears to have put it all behind him and you could argue he’s the best midfielder in the game. Arsenal has been so far. this season.

That’s a big revival from a player who was on the scrap heap last summer and was looking for a move, but sometimes these things take time, and perhaps the international break also played a role.

With a fully fit Partey we’ve seen what a difference it can make to the whole dynamic of Arteta’s team, and that was on display in Lisbon, with Thomas controlling things and letting others get on with things.

Moreover, he also has the ability to ‘make an excellent pass out of nowhere’ in his pocket, as evidenced by his lob to Saka that set up Arsenal’s second goal.

While yes, we shouldn’t get too hyped given Partey’s injury history, he has played all 12 of Arsenal’s Premier League games and all five Champions League games as well, so he is building up quite a bit now.

Maybe, just maybe, the return of the ‘Rolls Royce’ could be the key to getting Arsenal back into title contention, both domestically and in Europe.