Mikel Arteta Defends Tactical Decision to Deploy Thomas Partey as Right-Back Against Aston Villa.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stood by his decision to field Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey as a makeshift right-back during their 2-2 Premier League draw with Aston Villa last weekend. The tactical switch, which sparked criticism from some sections of the fanbase, was explained by Arteta as a necessity due to limited defensive options.

Speaking after the match, Arteta justified the move, saying, “I had no choice. I didn’t have another right full-back. Who plays when Jurrien [Timber] isn’t available or his load is too high? I didn’t have another right-sided centre-back [against Aston Villa].

Arsenal seemed poised for a comfortable win as goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz put them in a commanding 2-0 lead. However, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa fought back impressively. Youri Tielemans pulled one back, capitalizing on a defensive lapse, before Ollie Watkins netted the equalizer, exploiting space on Partey’s flank to beat goalkeeper David Raya.

Despite dominating possession, the Gunners were unable to regain their lead, leaving the Emirates Stadium with just one point. The draw was a missed opportunity to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, who earlier defeated Brentford 2-0 and now sit six points clear with a game in hand.

Partey’s performance as a right-back drew criticism from fans and pundits, particularly for his role in Watkins’ goal. The Ghanaian international, naturally a defensive midfielder, looked uncomfortable in the unfamiliar role.

However, Arteta emphasized that the decision was driven by necessity rather than preference, given Arsenal’s current injury concerns in defense. Jurrien Timber, who would typically feature in that position, has been unavailable, leaving Arteta to improvise.

Despite the setback, Arsenal remains in contention for the title, and Arteta is focused on the challenges ahead. The Gunners will look to bounce back in the Champions League as they host Dinamo Zagreb tonight at the Emirates. A win would strengthen their position in the competition and restore confidence ahead of their next Premier League fixture against Wolves this weekend.

With Liverpool setting a relentless pace at the top of the table, Arsenal will need to find consistency in their performances to keep their title ambitions alive. Key to this will be addressing their defensive vulnerabilities and making the most of their attacking talents, including Martinelli, Havertz, and captain Martin Ødegaard.

Arteta’s tactical flexibility has been a hallmark of his tenure, but the decision to deploy Partey as a right-back underlines the challenges of balancing injuries and squad depth in a demanding season. Arsenal fans will hope the team can adapt quickly and maintain their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.