Thomas Partey puts himself among Europe's elite trio after Mikel Arteta's Arsenal transition

Thomas Partey has been excellent for Arsenal this season and is certainly Mikel Arteta’s best central midfielder. It could also be argued that he is in the bracket for the best central midfielders in Europe.

This can be proven by the fact that the Ghanaian has the third-best dribble success rate in Europe’s top five leagues this season. Only Marco Veratti and Frenkie De Jong have scored higher than Partey.

Both of the players who are ranked higher than Partey are also arguably the best midfielders in their position at the moment. Partey being amongst these players is a testament to his ability and his importance in the Arsenal midfield.

Arsenal can takeover Chelsea transfer scheme with striker move to guarantee Champions League future

Mikel Arteta's proposed £46m striker transfer has passed his Arsenal audition thanks to Chelsea

Partey suffered in a double pivot earlier in the season, and was also vocally critical about his displays. Speaking after the defeat to Manchester United, he said: “The team is improving, each and everyone is doing our best.”

“For me, I have to keep on doing my best, keep trying, keep improving, try to come back to my best, because the team needs me, the team needs us.”

Since these quotes, he has gone on to become one of Arsenal's most important players. His absence was clear in January when he went to play at the African Cup of Nations, as the Gunners failed to win a single game during the month he was absent.

However, since he has returned to the side, Arsenal haven’t lost a match. The Gunners now look the favourites to qualify for a Champions League spot ahead of next season.

This has been proven with his statistics which rank just below Europe's elite midfielders in his position. Ball