Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson thinks new signing Thomas Partey’s tactical discipline is a massive reason why the Ghanaian international will be a success at the Emirates.

The Sky Sports pundit believes the Gunners have got themselves a bargain in the 27-year-old who can help transform Mikel Arteta’s side into a team competing at the top end of the table:

“I think he’s a top drawer player. I nearly fell off my chair at that price! At £45m, I don’t think that’s a lot of money at all for the quality of player you’re bringing in here. The one thing he brings as well is discipline. He’s played at Atletico Madrid who are probably one of the most disciplined teams in Europe and he will do that. He’s not a midfield player who will go running all over the place, where you’re thinking: ‘Where’s he gone?’ He’s very disciplined, he plays in a disciplined team and I think he would be a great signing.”

In today’s market, £45m is certainly not a lot, considering the level of ability that Partey possesses. Of course, there are no surefire guarantees that he’ll be a success but the fact that he was Arteta’s number one target throughout the summer suggests the Arsenal boss has something in mind with the Ghanaian central to his plans.

Merson is certainly right to point to the midfielder’s tactical discipline as a key attribute but, as we pointed out in this article, his all-round game is certainly extremely impressive too and he shouldn’t take long to adapt to the Premier League.