Arsenal star Zinchenko baffles Rio Ferdinand with Thomas Partey comparison

29 August 2023 , 18:58

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Arsenal star Zinchenko baffles Rio Ferdinand with Thomas Partey comparison

Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko baffled Rio Ferdinand with his high praise of teammate Thomas Partey.

Partey has had to adapt to a new position under Mikel Arteta this season, with the Ghanaian playing at right-back out of possession and dropping into the midfield when his side have the ball.

There had been interest from Saudi Arabia in the 30-year-old earlier this summer but Partey remained at the Emirates, much to the delight of teammate Zinchenko.

The ex-Manchester City man hailed Partey as the most underrated player in the Premier League before stunning Ferdinand with his comparison to other holding midfielders.

Asked by FIVE presenter Joel Beya if Partey was better than Casemiro, Zinchenko responded: "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.

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

Zinchenko was full of praise for his Arsenal colleague

Ferdinand, who was sat away from the cameras, then asked if he was better than City star Rodri before Zinchenko exhaled heavily. The former United defender could then be heard saying: "I am leaving the room".

The camera then panned to Ferdinand who stood with his hands on his head and questioned: "I think he is great, but better than Rodri?"

Zinchenko responded: "Rio, please come and see him in training. He has everything." On Rodri, he did concede: "He fits so well in City's system, take him out and it is a different City, for sure. He is the main detail and that is the hardest position to play."

The Ukraine skipper was also asked who is his toughest ever opponent but there was no debate to be had. "Mohamed Salah is so sharp, fast, strong. He can go both sides and you can never expect what he is going to do. When you give him space and he turns, it is so hard to stop him," he added.

Zinchenko again came off the bench for Arsenal against Fulham on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a calf problem.

Liam Prenderville