Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka defends £45 million Thomas Partey against critics

• Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has come to the rescue of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey after critics claim he is not fulfilling his price tag
• The Black Stars midfielder joined the Gunners in the summer of 2020 after Arsenal triggered in £45 million release clause
• However, injuries and struggles with fitness has seen him endure an inconsistent run of form

Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka has backed his teammate Thomas Partey against critics for claiming he is yet to meet the £45 million price the club paid for him.

The Ghana international, who joined the English giants in 2020 has struggled with injuries since moving to England, affecting his incredible potential.

In an interview with The Athletic, Xhaka explained Partey is a quality addition to the team and has showed it anytime he is fully fit.

"He cost a lot of money and people today see only the price. But I think it is wrong because it’s not our fault if people pay 50, 60, 100 million,” the Swiss midfielder told The Athletic.

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“If I can help him, I will. I told him he has to take the pressure from himself because he has the qualities to play in every team. He’s thinking he has to show to everyone why he cost 50 million euros. He is starting to understand that and is doing much better."

Thomas Partey and his Arsenal team have been on an incredible run of form since losing to Manchester United in November, having won their last five matches.

The midfielder also impressed as the Gunners thumped Norwich over the weekend and he is expected to play a key role when they play champions Manchester City.

Partey will leave London on January 3, 2022 to join his Black Stars teammates in Qatar for AFCON preparations.

Thomas Partey tells Eddie Nketiah to play for Ghana

Earlier, SportsBrief.com reported that, Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey is trying to convince Arsenal teammate Edddie Nketiah to switch nationality and play for Ghana.

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Eddie Nketiah, who netted a hat-trick in Arsenal's thrashing of Sunderland in the EFL Cup, is eligible to play for the Black Stars through his family ties.

In a video spotted on Twitter, Partey is seen telling Nketiah, it is time to play for Ghana despite representing his country of birth at youth levels.