![\"Thomas](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2247950814.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFormer Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has failed to impress at Villarreal following his return to Spain from the Premier League last summer<\/p>\n
Thomas Partey joined Villarreal on a one-year contract from Arsenal last summer<\/p>\n
Villarreal boss Marcelino has shared his brutally honest assessment of Thomas Partey<\/a>, who played just 45 minutes of his side’s 3-0 Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in midweek.<\/p>\n While the Spanish side are fourth in La Liga, they finished 35 out of a possible 36 sides in the Champions League<\/a> standings having previously reached the semi-finals in 2022.<\/p>\n It prompted strong criticism from Marcelino and during his post-match press conference, he made it clear that Partey has been majorly disappointing since joining the club on a free transfer from Arsenal<\/a>.<\/p>\n He said of the 32-year-old: \u201cI think there\u2019s a world of difference between the Thomas we knew at Arsenal and this one. It\u2019s difficult to play at this pace in today\u2019s football. I think it\u2019s been six months now, and that\u2019s enough time for him to show us what he\u2019s capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n Partey has managed 90 minutes just four times all season despite being a regular starter last term in north London.<\/p>\n FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Villarreal confirmed the signing of the combative midfielder in August and Partey did not participate in pre-season training.<\/p>\n Arsenal’s decision to offload the player following the expiration of his contract was undoubtedly the right one.<\/p>\n They’ve signed a clear upgrade in Martin Zubimendi – despite last weekend’s blunder against Manchester United – and the Spaniard has taken their midfield to new heights this term.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Partey has started just seven La Liga matches for La Liga and has not started in the league for the Yellow Submarine since November.<\/p>\n His current deal in Spain is up at the end of the campaign and it looks highly unlikely he’ll be offered fresh terms.<\/p>\n Thomas Partey has only completed 90 minutes four times for Villarreal<\/p>\n Arsenal have now discovered their possible Champions League last 16 opponents while Villarreal have been dumped out of Europe.<\/p>\n The Gunners will face the winners of Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund or the winners of Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos.<\/p>\n Either way, they’ll receive a home tie for the second leg and that will also be the case in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, should they make it.<\/p>\n Incredibly, only Kazakh minnows FC Kairat Almaty finished below Villarreal in the Champions League as Arsenal topped the pile.<\/p>\n Outside of drawing to Juventus, they lost all seven of their remaining league phase games and that included embarrassing defeats to the likes of Pafos FC and Ajax.<\/p>\n We’ve launched a new Arsenal podcast ‘Seeing Red’ with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta’s side every step of the way – and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n It’s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League – and they’re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n We’ll provide insight and reaction – and have fun along the way – as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We’ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n![\"Mateo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_GettyImages-2242531448.jpg\")
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Welcome to ‘Seeing Red’ – our new Arsenal podcast<\/p>\n