Without Thomas Partey, Arsenal 'lacked solidarity' in Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

Thomas Partey trains with Arsenal

Photo Credit - Arsenal Media.

Former England striker Daniel Sturridge believes that Arsenal would have done better with Thomas Partey in their 1-0 UEFA Champions League first leg home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates on Tuesday.

Having been booked during their return leg of the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid, which the Gunners won 2-1 to reach the semi-finals on a 5-1 aggregate scoreline, the Ghana international was forced to watch the first leg from the stands.

In Partey’s absence, Arsenal failed to deliver when it mattered most as Ousmane Dembele’s fourth-minute goal sealed a 1-0 win for PSG, leaving the Premier League outfit with a huge task to turn the tie around in Paris against Luis Enrique’s impressive French champions.

“At the end of the day, I feel like the yellow card for Partey really hurt Arsenal. It proved costly in this leg, no Partey, no party,” said the former Liverpool forward after the game.

“When you look at how they defended within the game, Partey brings solidity, he brings that defensive awareness. I think Declan Rice's handling of the ball was magnificent, driving forward with the ball, but I think for me, they lacked that solidity provided by Partey,” he concluded.