Niguez backs 'incredible' Thomas Partey to become 'one of the best in the world'

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been backed to become one of the world's best players by his former Atletico Madrid team-mate Saul Niguez.

The 27-year-old Ghana international joined the Gunners in a £45million move last October but his first season at the Emirates Stadium has been disrupted by injury.

But a campaign in which Partey has only shown glimpses of his best could yet end up with success if Arsenal win the UEFA Europa League.

With Mikel Arteta's mis-firing team down in ninth in the Premier League table, some nine points off the top four, that would appear to be their only route back into the Champions League.

But Niguez, who played alongside Partey in Atletico's midfield for five years, has backed him to soon show his true class in England.

'I think having a coach like Arteta at Arsenal eased things a lot for him,' Saul said. 'He knows the language and it is a culture that suits him.

'As a player he's incredible and if he manages to keep this consistency, he can be one of the best in the world. Honestly.

'I have known him since we were 16 or 17 years old and I've always felt that he was going to be a very important player. But what he has lacked is consistency, because he's capable of doing everything.

'He scores from out of the box, he makes ground, steals, distributes, runs the game himself.

'If he ever reads this, I would like to mention again that he should improve his consistency. It's not enough just doing one good game and then not appearing in three or four.

'He has to be more intelligent in that aspect and know what he has to do on those days in which he's not performing as well.'

Saul is confident that Arsenal fans will begin to see the best of Partey next season when hopefully the midfielder can stay clear of injury.

He added: 'I think he's been very unlucky because of injuries.

'It's difficult because he started pre-season with us and then he left without finishing it. He tried to play every game, he got injured, then he tried to come back before the correct time.

'Everything has been a bit unfortunate, but I think next season will be a great season for him.'

Arsenal return to action in the Premier League with a home game against Everton on Friday evening.

Atletico, meanwhile, were knocked off the top of LaLiga by their rivals Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The two teams are level on points and Atletico can return to the top if they win their game in hand at home to Huesca on Thursday.

Saul Niguez was speaking at an event for LiveScore, Official Global Scoring Partner of LaLiga Santander. LiveScore's iOS and Android app is available to download now: www.livescore.com/mobile