Thomas Partey: Arsenal proved Premier League title talk was serious by keeping Aubameyang

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Thomas Partey says Arsenal keeping hold of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved to him they are serious about matching his ambition of winning the Premier League.

After being pursued by Arsenal all summer, Partey finally moved to the club on transfer deadline day earlier this month when his €50m (£45m) release clause was met.

The midfielder is hungry to get going at Arsenal and is hoping to make his debut when they travel to Manchester City on Saturday.

Partey has set his sights on winning the Premier League while at Arsenal and asked if convincing Aubameyang to stay proved to him the club’s ambition was similar to his own, he replied: “Yes.

“It helps me understand that the club wants to achieve greater things and for me it is great to play alongside great players like him.

“This (winning the title) is our new objective. That’s the objective of the club, of me, myself and I think that we have to get back to where we belong.

“It’s something that is difficult and we all know that it’s difficult, but we’re working towards it and I think we are ready. We have to go all out and try to achieve all of that ourselves.”

The arrival of Partey has created great excitement among Arsenal fans, who have been calling for the club to sign a player in his mould for years.

The Ghana international offers the Gunners strength and power in midfield, while his ability to break up play should provide vital protection for the team’s defence.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Partey (above) is well aware of the pressure on him and the role he has to play in the team, but he is up for the challenge and revealed that his skill at stifling attacks was so revered in Spain that fans nicknamed him ‘the Octopus’.

“I always say, if I would be an animal, I would be an octopus,” he said. “I remember when I was in Almeria they called me the octopus because I stole a lot of balls.

“I think it’s a great challenge, I want to experience new challenges and also in a great family like Arsenal. I am ready to give it my all and try to help this great club come back to where they belong.

“I think there is no pressure on me. I like to challenge myself, I like new challenges as I said and it's all about learning fast.”

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