Jonathan Mensah heaps praise on Thomas Partey, reflects on Arsenal’s season

Ghanaian defender Jonathan Mensah has lauded the form of his national teammate Thomas Partey while offering a candid take on Arsenal’s 2024/25 season.

Speaking on the pitchside podcast with Thierry Nyann, Mensah expressed satisfaction with Partey’s performances amid what he described as an underwhelming campaign for the Gunners.

“I’m glad Thomas is playing well, even though collectively, you know, it could be so much better,” Mensah said. “But I’m happy he’s shining individually. Hopefully next season they won’t release another episode,” he added with a laugh.

While praising Partey’s form, the experienced center-back did not hold back when evaluating Arsenal’s season as a whole. The North London side narrowly missed out on the Premier League title and exited the Champions League at the semifinal stage.

“Consider them mostly going to the finals of the Champions League a success — then you know, they’ve set the bar so low that would be seen as an achievement,” Mensah remarked.

“But when you look at clubs like Real Madrid, Man City, and even Manchester United, the bar is so high that even finishing second or winning the FA Cup isn’t enough — people still call it a failed season.”

Partey has been key for Arsenal this season, producing some of his best performances in the UEFA Champions League, including the two-legged clash with Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. His ability to dictate play and break up opposition attacks has reestablished him as one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

The experienced midfielder is currently in talks with the London club over a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire in June. Arsenal are reportedly keen to keep him at the Emirates as they continue building toward future success.