Paul Merson outraged at Thomas Partey after 'unbelievable Arsenal incident'

Thomas Partey left Paul Merson in disbelief after missing an “absolute sitter” for Arsenal against Man United at The Emirates.

The Gunners went into the game looking to continue their fine form after winning their last three games in all competitions, against a much-changed Red Devils side.

But in a first-half of few chances on 4 December, it was the Ghanian who went closest to opening the scoring for the hosts.

With just eight minutes on the clock, the midfielder met a corner from the left at the near post just a few yards from goal but failed make contact with his head, and instead the ball deflected off his shoulder and behind for a goal-kick.

Merson though, was hugely unimpressed at that chance not being taken. Speaking about Partey’s miss on Sky Sports‘ Soccer Special show (8:23pm), the former Arsenal man said: “Oh you couldn’t believe it. The ball gets whipped in from the left-hand side and it goes over everyone.

“Partey’s at the near post, he’s three yards out. He goes to head it, it hits his shoulder and goes wide. It’s an absolute sitter. It’s harder to miss it than score it but it’s hit his shoulder and gone wide. It’s only got to hit his head.”

A huge chance for Arsenal squandered by Partey

Football Insider Opinion

It is somewhat remarkable that the midfielder was unable to get on the scoresheet from this opportunity early on against Man United.

The ball looked as though it was at the perfect height for Partey to stoop and direct the goal into the back of the net.

It would have been a fairly simple finish for the Arsenal man, and it is a quirk of football that he missed that chance, having produced a brilliant long-range effort recently in the win over Nottingham Forest.

Mikel Arteta though, will have been frustrated not to see his team create more chances in the first-half beyond this, given the alterations made by Ruben Amorim.

As a result, there may be more than just finishing these types of chances for the Gunners to work on in the aftermath of this match.

From a personal perspective though, this will still not be one that Partey himself will want to watch back anytime soon.

Arsenal did eventually take the lead from a corner as Jurrien Timber succeeded where his teammate failed in the second half.

In other news, Jamie Gittens’ transfer plan emerges amid Arsenal, Liverpool links.

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