Arteta hails ‘brilliant’ Partey after Rapid show

Mikel Arteta hailed Thomas Partey’s first Arsenal start as “brilliant” after his part in their 2-1 win over Rapid Vienna – but said there was more to come from the summer signing.

Partey put in a man-of-the-match performance for the Gunners in Austria, marshalling the visiting midfield in his first full 90 minutes for the club following his 5.7-billion-shilling move from Atletico Madrid on Transfer Deadline Day.

“He looked really solid, really comfortable, and I think he held the midfield by himself in the second half when we were a little bit more open and took more chances, attacking spaces with some players,” Arteta said after the game.