BREAKING NEWS: “I gave the Man of the Match award back to him because he’s the one who truly deserves it, not me. He showed us what we’ve been missing for a long time,” Bukayo Saka reveals the ONE Arsenal player who earned the Man of the Match title yesterday – not Ødegaard, and not Martinelli.

Mikel Arteta praised Thomas Partey’s outstanding performance in Arsenal’s resounding 5-1 Champions League victory over Sporting CP, calling it “one of the best performances I’ve seen from him.”

Arsenal delivered a commanding display on Tuesday night. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhães established a comfortable 3-0 lead by halftime.

Sporting briefly rallied when Gonçalo Inácio scored early in the second half, but Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard added two more goals to seal the emphatic win.

Partey played a pivotal role in midfield, earning accolades from Arteta, who highlighted the 31-year-old’s importance to the team’s aspirations this season. “I think it’s one of the best performances I’ve seen from him, especially in the way he controlled the game,” Arteta remarked.

“That’s the level he can reach, and he’s progressing well. This season, he’s been incredibly consistent, benefiting from having a clearly defined role. He’s a crucial player for us.”

When asked if Arsenal’s dominant display sent a strong message to other Champions League contenders, Arteta responded confidently. “Absolutely, the performances have been there in several games.

We were exceptional against PSG and Bayern, though individual mistakes cost us. Now, we face Inter, and that’s the standard we must maintain. This type of game builds belief and prepares us for the challenges ahead. Consistency is key because we have the ability to compete.”

Arteta also expressed optimism about the team’s progress as injured players rejoin the squad. Reflecting on recent improvements, he said, “A lot has changed since the international break. For a long time, we trained with only 11 or 12 players, which limited our preparations.

Now, nearly everyone is fit and available, although we’re still managing some players carefully. The team’s overall level is improving, and I’m confident we have the quality to be very strong.”

Arteta’s comments reflect Arsenal’s growing confidence as they continue to perform at an elite level in Europe, fueled by standout performances like Partey’s and the return of key players to full fitness.