Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Admits Difficulty in Believing Former Teammate is Dead

• Thomas Partey has paid tribute to late former teammate Christian Atsu
• Atsu and Partey were good friends during their time in the Black Stars
• The Arsenal star was criticised for the gesture after scoring for his team

Ghana international, Thomas Partey has finally opened up on his tribute to late former Black Stars teammate, Christian Atsu.

The winger tragically died following the earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria on February 6.

During the Gunners' comeback win against AFC Bournemouth, Partey dedicated his goal to the former Chelsea winger and his compatriot.

The Arsenal star was criticised for not properly displayinh his tribute as he partially revealed the shirt beneath his jersey with the inscription 'R.I.P Atsu'.

Footage of Patrice Evra nearly walking out of interview after Partey was compared to Casemiro emerges

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However, Partey explained it was not the right time to totally take off his jersey.

"I still don't believe Atsu is no more, which is very sad," he told Super Sport TV.

"It was a sad moment, during the week, I was thinking a lot, kept thinking all these things because it could have been anybody and it was him so I was sad."

Partey continued that he had informed the kitman to print 'R.I.P Atsu' on his inner shirt the day before the game at the Emirates Stadium.

"The day before the game, I called the kitman to print that for me, begging him to do it for me. When I scored, I was not going to show at the moment because I knew it was not the right moment because we were losing," he added.

"People who misunderstood thought I was scared of showing or getting a card but that was not the thinking I had at the moment. I would have showed if we were winning 1-0, so that is just the case."

Video: Heartbroken Sulley Muntari weeps uncontrollably at Atsu's one-week observation

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Having gone down 2-0, Partey sparked a fightback which saw the Gunners win the match by a narrow 3-2.

Partey dedicates goal to Atsu

Sports Brief previously reported on Ghana international, Partey scoring for Arsenal in the comeback win over AFC Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium.

He dedicated both his game-winning goal and the win to his late Black Stars teammate, Atsu.

Atsu tragically passed away last month following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which claimed over 50,000 lives.