Ghana’s Black Stars deputy captain Thomas Partey has made his first public appearance after completing his dream move to English Premier League club Arsenal FC.
Partey completed his move to Arsenal on the transfer deadline day on Tuesday after the English club triggered his release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
The 27-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the Gunners making the most expensive Ghanaian footballer.
The midfielder after signing the deal, joined his Black Stars teammates at the Emir Sports complex in Antalya, Turkey on Wednesday where the Black Stars are currently preparing for their two friendlies.
The Black Stars will their final training session on Thursday ahead of the Mali fixture.
Ghana will face Mali on Friday 9 October 2020 at the Emir Hotel Sports Complex before facing 2020 World Cup host country Qatar on Tuesday.
Read below Partey’s full interview with the Ghana FA media
On training with national teammates ahead of training
I feel good, I am so happy to be here again with the Black Stars. About the guys, I think they are doing well, today I can see everyone is trying to do their best, trying you win the heart of the new Coach and I think it’s good, we have a great competition and I think it’s better for the Black Stars.
On C.K Akonnor
Today is not the first day of working with him, you know we already played with him and I think he is doing all he can so that we will be comfortable and you know we won our last game and we will see what will happen against Mali and Qatar.
Competition for places in the team
We are having a good competition in the team; all the guys are training well. I think this will help the team to improve, everyone will be on their feet trying to win the heart of the Coach and also give more pressure on those that think that they are comfortable, it will energise them to be on their toes to fight to maintain their place in the team
On quality of players in the team
I am very happy; we have a lot of quality players in the team. There are so many Ghanaian players out there who are good but not all of us can be here. Fortunately, we are here because we won the heart of the Coach. And I think it’s a good place to show what we have.
On keeping momentum to win back the love
We have to do our best, make sure we win all our matches like we did previously against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe and with this we will win back the hearts of many Ghanaians also.
