Mahalsa UK
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Health
  • Living
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Editor’s Picks
    • Press Release
What's On

UK city to introduce new traffic cameras next week with drivers facing £70 fine for breaking rules

March 12, 2025

Toddler faces losing his eye after being kissed by someone with a cold sore

March 12, 2025

Travis Kelce ‘supporting’ Taylor Swift with singer ‘in hiding and worried about dragging people into mess’

March 12, 2025

Manchester United squad can ‘change’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s opinion, says Ruben Amorim | Manchester News

March 12, 2025

Trade war heats up as Canada hits US with £16bn tariff bill

March 12, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Vimeo
Mahalsa UK
Subscribe Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Health
  • Living
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • More
    • Web Stories
    • Editor’s Picks
    • Press Release
Mahalsa UK
Home » Declan Rice can lead the charge now that it’s Partey time for the Gunners… as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his side will have a ‘very powerful midfield’ as they head into Sheffield United clash
Sports

Declan Rice can lead the charge now that it’s Partey time for the Gunners… as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists his side will have a ‘very powerful midfield’ as they head into Sheffield United clash

By staffMarch 4, 20244 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Email VKontakte Tumblr
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
  • Thomas Partey will return to availability for Arsenal’s trip to Sheffield United 
  • The midfielder’s return will bolster an Arsenal side that are defensively resolute 
  • ‘The mouse is cornered!’ Tune in to find out the latest goings on at Chris Sutton’s farm, as his cats take the advantage – It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

They have the meanest defence in the Premier League — and the long-awaited return of Thomas Partey could make Arsenal even meaner. 

The Gunners have the most clean sheets (10) and have conceded the fewest goals (23) in the division, having reset since defeats by Fulham and West Ham in late December looked to have sent their title bid into freefall.

The go-to formation of Gabriel Jesus or Eddie Nketiah leading the line, with Kai Havertz on the left of midfield and Declan Rice in a holding role, has been adapted of late. Rice, as seen in the pivotal games against Liverpool and Newcastle last month, has a roaming role when afforded the protection of Jorginho playing behind him.

The England man played seven passes into the box against the Magpies — as many as he has done in a single game this season — as Arsenal won 4-1. Now, with Partey ready to return from a thigh injury which has ruled him out since October, Rice should have the protection to make further forays forward.

‘Rice and Partey have only played in the Community Shield together in midfield,’ said manager Mikel Arteta ahead of tonight’s trip to Sheffield United. ‘That tells you how much we have missed Thomas. The impact he can have for the next three months can be really big.

Declan Rice can lead Arsenal’s midfield with Thomas Partey finally returning to availability

Partey (left) returned to full training last week and is in contention to start at Bramall Lane

Partey (left) returned to full training last week and is in contention to start at Bramall Lane

‘I will have to see that chemistry on the pitch and those qualities; the things we have to do to make sure they (Rice and Partey) play to their strengths and make each other better. But I think that will be a very powerful midfield.’

Steel runs through Arteta’s team, who are on the coat-tails of Liverpool and Manchester City, chasing hard and defending like their lives depend on it.

It has been drilled into the squad that keeping clean sheets is a collective responsibility.

‘Eleven players are taking ownership and they are responsible for everything that happens on that field,’ Arteta said. 

‘And then their attitude, their love — that love for defending. You have to love it. If you don’t, it’s because the manager is shouting and pushing you. When you put something into their system and they enjoy doing that and take pride in doing that, they celebrate defensive actions as they do an assist or a goal. Then you can take that to a different level.

‘That is spreading through the team. That is contagious. Everybody has to be connected because every space, the timing of it, the approach, the distances that you have between the players, to read certain intentions and structures of the opponent, it is a lot of things but they know it now. We have to continue to do that.’

After a spate of injuries, Arsenal are back to near full strength. A late call will be made on whether full backs Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu make the squad. Jurrien Timber remains out but has started his integration into first-team training.

Partey's return will come as a boost to an Arsenal side who have been in top form recently

Partey’s return will come as a boost to an Arsenal side who have been in top form recently

The Gunners may be in the ascendency now but Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder remembers when some were calling for the Spaniard’s head — particularly after they crashed out of the 2021 Europa League in the semi-finals to Villarreal — managed by their old boss Unai Emery.

‘I’ve an incredible amount of respect for Mikel because he’s been through tough times at Arsenal and come through them,’ said Wilder.

‘Everyone at one stage thought a change would be made. But Mikel came through that and won a trophy early on (the FA Cup in 2020), after knocking us out in lockdown. The way Mikel is progressing, moving and building his team is really good to see.’

Wilder’s side, rooted to the foot of the table, suffered crushing defeats by Brighton and Aston Villa last month and he added: ‘I don’t want us to be a pushover. At times we have been — but that won’t happen going forward, I’m telling you.’

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email

Related Posts

And they’re off… to BENIDORM! British Cheltenham fans don fancy dress as they watch the racing from the Costa Blanca – paying 85p a pint instead of £7.80!

Sports March 12, 2025

Cheltenham Festival 2025 LIVE: Latest tips, racecards and results as the Queen arrives to watch Day Two

Sports March 12, 2025

Eagles fans react after team U-turns on visiting Trump in the White House to celebrate Super Bowl win

Sports March 12, 2025

Bombshell twist as footy star sues club for allegedly making up to 30 of his team-mates wrestle him as punishment for being late to training

Sports March 12, 2025

Furious Liverpool fans left baffled by PSG fan being allowed to use a MEGAPHONE behind the goal during the Reds’ penalty shootout defeat

Sports March 12, 2025

Jamie Carragher gives his honest reaction to Liverpool’s Champions League exit but insists the ‘best team won’ despite claiming the Reds looked ‘comfortable’ for first 20 minutes

Sports March 12, 2025
Our Picks

Toddler faces losing his eye after being kissed by someone with a cold sore

March 12, 2025

Travis Kelce ‘supporting’ Taylor Swift with singer ‘in hiding and worried about dragging people into mess’

March 12, 2025

Manchester United squad can ‘change’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s opinion, says Ruben Amorim | Manchester News

March 12, 2025

Trade war heats up as Canada hits US with £16bn tariff bill

March 12, 2025
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Entertainment

WATCH: Queen Camilla arrives at Cheltenham Festival ahead of prize presentation

By staffMarch 12, 20250

The Queen attended Style Day at Cheltenham Festival today, serving in her role as Joint…

Keir Starmer assures Labour has a ‘roadmap for farming’ despite controversial inheritance tax raid

March 12, 2025

Edinburgh University blasted after allowing trans women to use female toilets

March 12, 2025

And they’re off… to BENIDORM! British Cheltenham fans don fancy dress as they watch the racing from the Costa Blanca – paying 85p a pint instead of £7.80!

March 12, 2025
Mahalsa UK
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 Mahalsa. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below.

Lost password?