However, the latest update from Arteta was a positive one with both Partey and Emile Smith Rowe making progress. In his pre-Lens press conference, he revealed: "Emile has already been on the pitch, doing some jogging. I don’t know weeks-wise how long it’s going to take. Emile is a quick healer. Thomas is the same.
"They are both going to push but we have to make sure when they come back they are at their best as well. We don’t want to rush them but as well the team needs them because at the moment we are missing some key, key players as well." With Declan Rice and Jorginho having to anchor the midfield while he deals with another injury, Ferdinand has sent a brutal request to Partey and Arsenal in his absence.
Speaking on his Vibe with Five YouTube show, Ferdinand said: "Thomas Partey is irreplaceable by the way [according to Arsenal fans] but he ain’t been seen this season! Not even mentioned on the show. What’s happened to Thomas Partey?! Where is Thomas? Someone free Thomas Partey. Please, I need to see him again man."
Ferdinand has previously revealed his thoughts on Partey when Man United signed Casemiro and just a few months later his verdict was again made perfectly clear before the two teams played each other. "I think the importance to their teams... you could argue both sides quite equally. But then, when you through the stats in Casemiro wipes him away," Ferdinand said when asked who is better out of the defensive midfield duo.
"I don't think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing. I don't think he [Partey] has the impact defensively for Man United, on the ball he's doing more. On the ball, he's doing more. He's dictating play for Arsenal. He's actually playing passes I didn't know he had. His passing has been unbelievable." Casemiro has struggled to replicate a strong first season at Old Trafford with any consistency built this season interrupted by his own injury issues.
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