Mikel Arteta's Arsenal system has somewhat been found out in recent weeks. The Gunners have failed to win in their previous four games and have struggled to replicate their form pre-April.
Wednesday's 4-1 defeat to Premier League rivals Manchester City has further dampened the mood around the club. In fact, it has snatched their title dreams out of their hands for the first time this season.
Before dropping points at Anfield at the start of the month, Arsenal had dropped points in only six of their opening 29 league games. The north Londoners were firing in every area of the pitch, with Gabriel Jesus' winter setback not enough to derail their tremendous season.
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However, the methods that were working have begun to fail and the Gunners haven't been anywhere near their best in the last month. Dropped points against Liverpool, West Ham and 20th-placed Southampton was compounded by the thrashing at Man City - where Arteta saw his side be severely outclassed and bullied.
Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli could not muster a serious attack between themselves and Martin Odegaard has been a shadow of the playmaker we've become accustomed to. But Thomas Partey's form in Arsenal's difficult run has been heavily criticised, with the defensive midfielder looking like a player running low.
The Ghanaian has thrived in his new role in Arteta's team, sitting in front of the back four behind Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard. With Oleksandr Zinchenko slotting into midfield to form a 3-4-3, Partey's importance has received glowing references.
However, he has struggled for form in recent weeks, with his individual outings aligned with Arsenal's poor run of results. Footage online shows Partey appearing as a bystander as Man City bopped the ball within a congested space, free of any challenge from Partey, leading to a shot on Aaron Ramsdale's goal.
He was also on the receiving end of criticism for his role in West Ham's fightback three weeks ago, allowing Declan Rice to regain possession before Arsenal conceded a penalty.
That's why it's no coincidence that speculation linking Rice with a move to the Emirates Stadium has intensified. football.london understands that the England international is the priority target for the summer transfer window, with him expected to leave West Ham in the summer.
Rice primarily plays as a number 8 for the Hammers but is more than capable of filling in as the anchor of a three. His performances in the last three seasons have prepared him for a move to one of the Premier League's best teams, with the move to north London seeming the perfect fit.
It has been reported that West Ham will seek around £100million ($124m) for Rice's services. "My hope somewhere is that Dec thinks this is the best place for him to be and if somebody doesn’t come up with the right amount of money, it will continue to be the place he is as well," David Moyes said recently.
“The club have made that pretty plain, but I hope we can continue to get the best out of Dec."
For now, Partey must rediscover his form from earlier in the season in the final five games of the season. Rice won't be signed to replace Partey next season, but the midfielder will be equally keen to ensure he is part of Arteta's plans for years to come.
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