Press conference

Partey on the Premier League, Arteta, Ghana

There was a lot for Thomas Partey to do on his first day at London Colney on Tuesday.

After meeting Mikel Arteta and his new team-mates, he had a photocall, club interviews and more - and then a press conference with the national media.

Click here to buy your 'Thomas 18' shirt from Arsenal Direct!

This is what Partey told them:

on coming to the Premier League…

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.

on how closely he follows the Premier League…

I have been watching the Premier League since I was in Ghana, and I think most of my Ghanaian friends and most of the people in Ghana watch the Premier League and La Liga.

on what he hopes to achieve…

I still have much to develop, I still have more to learn with this new family. I will have to learn more things to achieve all my goals, and achieve the goals of the club as well.

on the part Mikel Arteta played in convincing him to join…

Yes, he was very important, him and Edu told me about their plans and it was so exciting, so I had to accept it.

on what the final day of the transfer window was like…

I think it was the decision of the club, they were working everything out and I was concentrating on my training. I think it happened because it has to happen, and I feel great to be here.

on whether he will have to adapt to Arsenal’s style of play…

I think I have to be quick, make sure that I learn everything as fast as I can. In football, I have make sure I do everything on the training ground and make sure Mikel sees that I am ready to play for him.

on how he would describe his style of play…

I think the most important thing is that I like to play in the midfield, but then wherever I need to play to help the team, I will play there and try my best to help the team.

 

on his name being a ‘headline writer’s dream’…

Yeah! I’ve seen that there are Partey’s everywhere and even the photographer asked me why I don’t use Partey on my shirt and I said it’s because I started with Thomas and people are familiar with Thomas, so I need to go with Thomas.

 

on the first thing that Mikel Arteta said to him…

He’s seen me play and he knows what I can give to the team. My previous team have done a lot and he’s seen me play and he feels that I can do the same for him.

 

on Arteta’s progress with Arsenal so far…

I’ve seen that everyone has been excited and everyone is willing to win something and all the trophies that come their way. I think that’s the goal and objective for everyone here and that’s my goal also.

 

on whether he is confident that Arsenal will win trophies…

Yes, of course. 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.

on whether he's met his new team-mates yet and if he has spoken to Auba and Laca...

Yes, of course. I just met them and we spoke a bit and later, I'll see them again.

 

on potentially facing Kevin de Bruyne on his debut...

Well, it's the decision of Mikel. I just arrived. For me, I'm prepared but I need to get used to the style of play before I can play.

 

on whether it was always an ambition of his to play in England...

I think it was a new challenge for me. I've always wanted to play in the top leagues and the Premier League is one of the top leagues, so I'm happy to be here.

 

on if his ultimate ambition is to see Arsenal as champions again...

Yes. This 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.

 

on whether he spoke to the Ayew brothers about coming to England...

Yes. They told me it's a very difficult league but then I have the qualities to be here, so I just need to do my best and then work hard.

 

on facing Manchester City and whether that's exciting...

For me it's a great feeling. I like to play in the big matches, but it all depends on the coach and whether he wants me to play on Saturday or not. It depends on him. I need to get used to the squad and then train with the before we can see what we will happen.

 

on whether there is a lot of pressure on him now...

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, learning quickly how it goes and you just get used to it and everything works.

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