Thomas Partey admits the start of his Arsenal career has been a “difficult moment” after Rio Ferdinand likened Mikel Arteta’s squad to a “promiscuous girlfriend”.
Partey has started just ten Premier League games this season with three separate injuries keeping him out for the majority of the campaign after his £45million move from Atletico Madrid.
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Rio Ferdinand took aim at Partey earlier this week, but the Ghanaian insists his fitness issues were part of his adaptation to Premier League football and he’s now ready to kickstart his Arsenal career.
“Yes it was a difficult moment to get used to how the team play and I think the injuries are part of the adaptation and now I feel good,” Partey said ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League last-16 first leg against Olympiacos.
“I think this is just the starting. I’m starting to get used to how my mates play and how the Premier League goes. With time everything will be good.”
Ferdinand had a go at Partey along with the whole of the Gunners squad, likening them to a “promiscuous girlfriend”.
“Partey, that’s another one, he’s never fit,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “He keeps coming back and breaking down!
“They’ve got good players there but for some reason, I don’t know what’s happening, it just isn’t coming together consistently at the moment.”
Partey also defended Granit Xhaka after his blunder for Burnley’s equaliser in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Turf Moor on Saturday.
“I think he’s a great player,” Partey added. “We all know he works hard for the club, he works hard for his team-mates when he’s on the pitch.
“We have to keep raising each other, keep fighting for each other and that’s how we are going to have a good game. It doesn’t matter who we play with we have to do our best.”
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