Ghana international Thomas Partey played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s 2-0 Champions League second league phase victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, showcasing his return to full fitness after a spell plagued by injuries.
Partey, who helped Arsenal qualify for the Champions League two seasons ago for the first time since 2017, has struggled in recent campaigns with recurring groin and hamstring injuries. During the 2023-24 season, he missed several crucial games, including group-stage fixtures against PSV Eindhoven and Lens, as well as returning games in the knockout stages. Even when on the bench for Arsenal’s first-leg clash against Bayern Munich, he remained an unused substitute.
However, in the 2024-25 season, Partey has already surpassed his previous appearance tally in the competition, starting both of Arsenal’s opening Champions League matches against Atalanta and PSG. His consistent availability has provided manager Mikel Arteta with a reliable midfield anchor, complementing his contributions in the Premier League where he has featured in every match so far.
Against PSG, Partey imposed himself in midfield, making the most interceptions (3) of any player on the pitch and disrupting the French side’s rhythm. He was also inches away from scoring a goal from a Bukayo Saka free-kick, which would have marked his third career Champions League goal—coincidentally almost exactly five years after his last UCL goal for Atlético Madrid against Lokomotiv Moscow on October 1, 2019.
Partey’s commanding presence helped Arsenal dominate the game, maintain control in midfield, and secure a crucial European victory. With this win, the Gunners remain one of the two unbeaten sides in the Premier League and European competitions. Arsenal now turn their attention back to domestic action, facing struggling Southampton on Saturday.
Thomas Partey’s resurgence highlights his growing importance to Arsenal’s ambitions both in Europe and at home, proving that the Ghanaian midfielder is back to his influential best.
