Martin Keown urges Arsenal to replace Granit Xhaka with Thomas Partey

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes his former club should look at the prospect of replacing Granit Xhaka with Thomas Partey. Xhaka was on the fringes of the first-team after the public altercation with the fans earlier in October but he has been able to win over most of the supporters after producing consistent displays under Mikel Arteta.

Still, Keown does not feel the Switzerland international is the solution for the Gunners in the holding midfield role and he would prefer someone of Partey’s calibre to accompany Lucas Torreira in the centre of the par, he told Stadium Astro: "I think Partey from Atletico Madrid, the midfield player that sits, very strong, tough player. He's the sort of type of player that Arsenal need in that midfield. I think Torreira is a player who doesn't get used enough, I know he's been injured. Xhaka has come in and done better but I'm not sure that is the right answer."

The north London giants have yet to make a move for any new player to date but they have been frequently linked with a move for Partey. The Ghana international is understood to hold an interest in joining the Gunners but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can afford to trigger the £45m release clause present on his Atletico Madrid contract.
On the other hand, the London giants could find themselves without European football, suppose they lost the FA Cup final to Chelsea next month. It will be interesting to see whether the midfielder’s stance changes, if they miss out on the Europa League. The Gunners have been constants in Europe over the past two-and-a-half decades, but they could miss out next term unless they are victorious in the Wembley meeting against Chelsea. They are currently 10th on the Premier League table with one game to play.