Zinchenko Leaves Rio Ferdinand Speechless With Claim Partey is the Best Defensive Midfielder: Video

• Oleksandr Zinchenko has placed Thomas Partey top of his list of best defensive midfielders
• The Arsenal defender believes Partey is better than five-time UCL winner Casemiro
• Zinchenko has been playing with Partey since moving to Arsenal last summer

Ukraine and Arsenal defender, Oleksandr Zinchenko left former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand in shock after claiming Thomas Partey is the best defensive midfielder in the English Premier League.

Zinchenko has played with some of the best midfielders in the world, including Rodri and Fernandinho, during his time with Manchester City.

There has been an ongoing debate in England as to who is the best between Rodri, Casemiro and Partey in recent times.

The ex-City defender believes his current teammate Partey is ahead of the former Real Madrid star and the UCL final match-winner for Manchester City.

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"I don't want to say something bad. Casemiro is a world-class player, five Champions Leagues. But if I had to choose, it would be Partey,” he told FIVE.

"I had the debate in my head, who is the best holding midfielder I have ever played with - it was between Fernandinho, Rodri and Thomas Partey, but Partey is something else," he exclaimed.

"He has everything, Rodri absolutely fits for the City system and Rodri fit there very well.. It is a tough one. I watched Fernandinho when he was at Shakhtar and he helped me so much. I love him like an older brother," he added.

Partey, who joined Arsenal in 2020 from Atletico Madrid, played a pivotal role as the Gunners finished second last season.

Mikel Arteta has come under intense pressure this season for using the Ghana international as a right-back, as reported by Pulse.

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Thomas Partey wins first trophy with Arsenal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Thomas Partey has won his first trophy with Arsenal after producing a strong display in the 2023 Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Manchester City.

A last-gasp equalizer from second-half substitute Leandro Trossard cancelled a Cole Palmer strike for City, forcing the game into penalties.

Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri missed from the spot as Arsenal converted four of their penalties to win the game 4-1 at Wembley.