Arsenal star Thomas Partey was second-best against West Ham star Declan Rice as the two London rivals drew 2-2 at the London Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners took an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard before the Hammers clawed their way back into the game.
Partey was at fault in the build-up to West Ham's first goal as he was dispossessed easily by Rice on the edge of Arsenal's penalty box - leading to Gabriel Magalhaes conceding a penalty after fouling Said Benrahma. The Algerian forward converted his spot kick before Bukayo Saka missed a crucial penalty in the title race, putting his strike wide of the post - with Granit Xhaka and Ian Wright publicly backing the Hale End star to bounce back after his penalty miss.
Jarrod Bowen equalised for David Moyes' side just minutes after Saka's missed opportunity to extend the north Londoners' lead as Arsenal dropped points for the second week in a row. Manchester City are now just four points behind the Gunners in the race for the title.
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football.london reported back in January that Arsenal are prioritising a move for Rice this summer as they look to bolster Mikel Arteta's midfield options. The England international will have just a year left on his current deal at West Ham when the transfer window opens ahead of next season and could fetch a fee in the region of £100 million.
Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit believes the speculation about Rice moving to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window played on Partey's mind during the match as his mistake led to Benrahma winning a penalty for the Hammers. When asked about the Ghanaian midfielder's performance against West Ham, Petit told Legal Sportsbooks: “Sometimes it happens that you just don't have a good game.
"It was a tough fight he was having up against Declan Rice in the middle of the park. And with all the speculation surrounding Rice possibly signing for Arsenal, that could be something that was playing on his mind.
"I think for me, this is the only reason I can see that Thomas Partey didn't have a good game against West Ham," Petit added. The Gunners icon went on to urge his former side to 'pull out all the stops' to sign the Hammers captain this summer after his brilliant performance against Arteta's side on Sunday.
“Of course, definitely," Petit said when asked if Arsenal should sign Rice. "Rice would be important to Arsenal.
"If he wants to play at the top level, with all due respect to West Ham, I think it's time for him to leave the club. He has been linked with different clubs in England but if I was Rice I would go and play for Arsenal.
"If Arsenal want to stay at the top next season, Rice would be an important signing. But they need more players as well.”
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