Thomas Partey He believes Arsenal’s youth squad has become a team that can be champions. Premier League.
The Gunners sit five points clear at the top of the table, coming from behind to seal Bournemouth with a 3-2 win on the last gasp on Saturday.
No other top-level team is younger than the one formed by it. Arsenal boss Mikel Artetabut they’re like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli shone this season.
Captain Odegaard, 24, is the oldest of the trio, while others like Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and William Saliba have yet to reach the top.
Arsenal are going high this year, despite a lack of experience offset to some extent by the signings of Manchester City champions Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer.
When asked if Jesus, Zinchenko and he had spoken to young players – including staying calm while chasing a game when they were down 2-0 – Partey replied, “I think they’re not young players anymore.
“They have experience. They’ve been playing for a long time. They are mature. I think it’s time for them to achieve anything they want to achieve. This is their dream. I think they are all ready to achieve that.”
Reiss Nelson came out of the bench and hit the dying winner against Bournemouth – Arsenal secured a win in the 90th minute or later for the third time in six games.
“I think it’s the spirit of never giving up,” Partey said when asked if such goals prove that this Arsenal team didn’t know when they were beaten.
“The belief we have in the team, the belief that the fans have in us, pushes us every game. I think we deserve every win we have this season.
“I think it’s another game where we lose and then we can go up and win the game.
“I think this will increase the spirit of the team and the fans to continue to support. This is the football we all want to play.”
Partey had planned to pay homage to Christian Atsu during the match, but after scoring the first goal in the comeback, he had to wait until the match was over to reveal a t-shirt with a printed message instead.
Partey’s teammate from Ghana, Atsu, died in the devastating earthquake in Turkey last month, and Partey’s shirt had the message ‘Rest Well Christian Atsu’.
“I wish I had the chance to dedicate this to her,” the 29-year-old added.
We’ve all seen that we have to believe, and I believe I dedicate the goal to it. After all, I am happy, I wish him to rest in peace.”