Arsenal stole the limelight on Deadline Day with the £45.3 million signing of Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey, after triggering the release clause.
After a highly-publicised move for Houseem Aouar broke down, Arsenal turned to Partey, the midfield signing that fans were clamouring for all summer.
After 15 years of trying, a replacement for Patrick Vieira may finally have been found. Many have tried, but for various reasons have come up short.
Here are 6 defensive midfielders who were false dawns at Arsenal…
Mathieu Flamini
In his two spells at the club, there was no doubting Flamini’s grit, tenacity and long-shots! But a lack of technical ability and a tendency to be rash let him down. A fan favourite for that brace against Tottenham, but not the man to take Arsenal on a level, it’s been a different story for him in business though.
Denilson
A Brazilian ball-player, but didn’t have a physical presence that could cover his offensive partners like Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky. Synonymous for side-ways passing, he didn’t have the authority to stamp his place as a regular.
Mikel Arteta
Like Partey, a Deadline Day deal, a graceful footballer but never the defensive lynchpin. ‘Square peg in round-hole’ fits the bill. Incredible ability, but Arsenal suffered away from home with Arteta’s lack of mobility and physicality exposed. Sorry boss…
Mohamed Elneny
A January 2016 signing from Basel, Arteta has shown faith in him this season, but he hasn’t proved himself to be a first-team starter. He’s started to become braver on the ball, but until Arteta arrived he was a forgotten man. Good player but not a game-changer, hence the signing of Partey.
Francis Coquelin
French, tough-tackling and good passer, in 2015 it seemed like Coquelin would be the man to fit the hole. Iconic performances away to Manchester City and United, he formed a formidable pivot with Santi Cazorla. But his lack of positional awareness and aggressive nature saw him fade out of the team.
Lucas Torreira
The man who even had a chant like Vieira’s. Arsenal hadn’t had a player like him in years. He started so well but with injuries, a change of tactics and Dani Ceballos’ form, he fell out of favour and is now Partey’s replacement at Atleti.
Partey is set to make his home league debut tonight, with expectation high after his showing in Vienna, but judging by how gutted Atleti were to lose him, Arsenal may have finally found their man.
Sam Tonks 