Mikel Arteta has deployed Thomas Partey at right-back for Arsenal's opening three Premier League fixtures this season - but the 30-year-old is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks
Micah Richards has agreed with Gary Neville's assessment of Mikel Arteta's 'experiment' in using Thomas Partey at right-back for Arsenal. The Ghana international is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a groin injury ahead of the Premier League clash against Manchester United this afternoon.
"He [Arteta] is a forward thinking coach in terms of talking about positions and transitions, you are always in a different formation depending on what the game is like. The only thing for me is this [Thomas] Partey experiment, I don’t think it’s worked at all.
"He leaves all the space down the right-hand side to be attacked, and when you have [Declan] Rice and Partey in that midfield, it’s a stellar midfield. I understand why he is trying to do it because Arsenal became a bit too predictable and he wants to be forward thinking, but I think the experiment has not worked with him."
Neville urged Arteta to stop experimenting with his defence earlier this week with a message on his podcast. "Arsenal are expected to challenge for the league with the business they have done," said the Sky Sports pundit on his podcast.
"There’s a lot of pressure on Kai Havertz but give the lad a chance and let him settle into the team. I would say that for me, looking at Arsenal, there is this element of experimentation.
"Full-backs think they can play midfield, midfielders think they can play at full back. Thomas Partey is playing half-and-half in a game.
"Sometimes you need to go back to basics. I’d expect next week Mikel Arteta is going to end that experiment and go with a solid back four.
"Move Partey into midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. Get back to something that resembles what a team should look like.
"Balance in a team is very important. Innovation is fantastic but sometimes something that started as a good idea evolves into something which doesn’t work.
"I feel there is that with Arsenal. They’ll go back to the basics of 4-3-3. Manchester United are decent on the counter-attack but it is a big test for them.
"Their performances so far this season have been below par. If you’re below par at the Emirates you will get beaten. United have to rise and raise their game, but Arsenal need to sort themselves out too."
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