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Thomas Partey was recognised as a La Liga title winner with Atletico Madrid for the 2020/21 season, despite missing the final five months of the term after signing with Arsenal.

Diego Simeone was reportedly furious after losing the services of the Ghanaian, but his side coped without his presence in the middle of the park to edge Real Madrid and Barcelona to the title.

Partey’s success with Atletico might be his last for a while, considering how far off the pace Arsenal are of Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League. Heading down the stretch run of the campaign, City are considered the leading contenders in the Premier League winner odds at 1.44, but as of early May the title race was still in the balance between the two titans of English football. The dominance of the two sides is eerily similar to that of Barcelona and Madrid’s imperious hold over La Liga.

Until Atletico came along in the 2013/14 season, Barca and Madrid had won 12 of the 13 La Liga crowns since 2000. Atletico have been at the least a constant presence in the title race, although the 2020/21 season was only their second title win under Simeone. Los Rojiblancos have been uncompromising in their style of play and have provided a real obstacle for Madrid and Barca to overcome in the race of the title. Neither side relish playing Atletico, knowing that it will be a tough battle for the three points.

Simeone’s men have displayed resilience during the Argentine’s reign, but are now also beginning to develop flair in the final third with the rise of Joao Felix. It has not been easy for the club, who have seen many of their top talents such as Diego Costa, Antoine Griezmann and Partey among others plucked away. But, it is a testament to the managerial skill of Simeone that he has kept his team in the reckoning for the La Liga crown and two Champions League finals.

Partey’s drive and determination from the middle of the park was key for Simeone in his five years with the club. It is why the Argentine was so aggrieved to lose his star man. He has already shown those attributes in the Premier League for the Gunners, but it has not been replicated around him. Arsenal have improved under Mikel Arteta, but have struggled against the elite sides in the division. After taking Partey from Atletico, Arteta could do with taking on board the characteristics of Simeone’s team to make life difficult for City and Liverpool instead of trying to beat them at their own game.







The Gunners lacked the grit to see out a victory against City on New Year’s Day after taking the lead at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool then eased past Arteta’s men in their clash in March, securing a 2-0 victory on the road. For Partey and Arsenal to close the gap and compete for the top-flight crown once again, they need to become resilient and a tough outfit to crack against the leading outfits. Arteta has been in his role long enough to realize, and he may now need to adapt as neither City nor Liverpool are slowing down any time soon.