Form and composure deserted Partey at a vital time – Gary Neville

By Daniel ODURO, Accra

Ghana international Thomas Partey’s loss of form has not gone unnoticed as Arsenal’s title dreams all but ended with defeat at home to Brighton over the weekend.

Partey is yet to start for the Gunners in the last three games, with Jorginho who joined from Chelsea preferred to the Black Stars man.

Football pundits and fans who expected the senior players like Partey to help Arsenal at this crucial stage of the competition say the player appeared to have lost his impressive form when it mattered the most, costing Arsenal the title.

Manchester United legend, Gary Neville is one of such pundits who could not explain the sudden loss of form of Partey.

Partey was in brilliant form earlier in the campaign, which helped Arsenal to a healthy eight-point lead over City as recently as six weeks ago.

But, he’s been well below his best in recent weeks, which has seen City leapfrog Arsenal.

The defeat at the Emirates on Sunday now leaves Mikel Arteta’s men four points behind City with just two games to play.

And according to Neville, Partey’s loss of form was a huge blow to Arsenal’s title credentials.

“He’s been in a shadow of himself in the last few weeks, Partey,’ said Neville as reported by the metro.co.uk.

“He has been nowhere near it. A large part of the season, he has been fantastic.

“His form and composure have deserted him at the most vital time,” he added.

Partey’s form has seen him lose his spot to Jorginho in midfield in recent weeks.