"I didn’t have an impression he struggled"- Mikel Arteta explains Thomas Partey’s right-back role against Newcastle

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Thomas Partey of ArsenalArsenal manager Mikel Arteta has rejected claims that Thomas Partey struggled as a right-back during their Premier League defeat to Newcastle United.The Ghanaian midfielder has been deployed as a defender in the last two matches with the Gunners picking only a point from those games.According to Arteta, Partey was brilliant as a right-back as he disclosed the reason for playing the ex-Atletico Madrid player as a defender.”Ill need to make that assessment once I have more clarity about where he struggled, but I dont have the impression he struggled much. Every time we have that situation with Thomas playing a different position because we dont have another right-back at the moment. Were always going to have that debate and Thomas is fantastic,” he said after the game.Arsenal have dropped from third place to fifth after the defeat to the Magpies at the Saint James Park.Partey is expected to start in midweek in the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan before the weekend’s London derby with Chelsea.