Former Ghana coach James Kwasi Appiah says Thomas Partey’s opposite performances for Arsenal and Ghana is as a result of how he’s used in both teams.
According to him, while the midfielder’s role is more defined at club level, he is expected to adopt an advanced role when he plays for the Black Stars.
Partey is currently playing his best football since joining Arsenal and has two goals to his name in the ongoing campaign.
📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS
Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.
The Ghanaian has been an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side, as they sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
However, his performances for Ghana, where he is the deputy captain, continue to court criticism from some fans and ex-players.
The 29-year-old wasn’t at his best during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, with the Black Stars exiting the tournament at the group stages.
Appiah, who coached Partey between 2017 and 2019, believes how the midfielder is used determines how well or poorly he plays.
“I would like to use this World Cup. If you look at Arsenal, they use him more like a defensive midfielder, always he plays in front of the defenders,” Appiah told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.
“But here we [Ghana] use him as an offensive midfielder who operates on the right side. That means he is enclosed in a small area with the number 10 but at Arsenal, he can move all over the place.”
Meanwhile, Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah believes Partey is currently the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League.
The Columbus Crew centre-back picked the Arsenal midfielder over Manchester United’s Casemiro and Manchester City’s Rodri.
Mensah was reacting to a post made by TV3 Sports’ Juliet Bawuah, who had asked her followers to pick who the best was among the trio.
The 32-year-old made his pick in the comments section, writing “T for Thomas [Partey]” accompanied by some emojis.
Source: pulseghana.com
Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
🏟️ Discover More Sports Stories
Looking for more in-depth sports news, interviews, and features? Visit Accra Sports News — your go-to for exclusive sports content in Ghana and beyond.
Disclaimer: Some content on Accra Street Journal may be aggregated, summarized, or edited from third-party sources for informational purposes. Images and media are used under fair use or royalty-free licenses. Accra Street Journal is a subsidiary of SamBoad Publishing Hub under SamBoad Business Group Ltd, registered in Ghana since 2014.
For concerns or inquiries, please visit our Privacy Policy or Contact Page.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
