In a thrilling North London Derby, Thomas Partey became a divisive figure as Arsenal edged past Tottenham with a 2-1 victory on Wednesday. The Ghanaian midfielder’s performance was a tale of two halves, sparking mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike.

The game began with Partey at the heart of controversy. In the 24th minute, he faced criticism from former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand and pundit Ally McCoist for his lackluster effort in closing down space. This lapse allowed Pape Matar Sarr to set up Heung-Min Son for Spurs’ opener. Ferdinand labeled Partey’s effort as “insufficient,” urging the importance of a holding midfielder’s defensive instincts. McCoist added that greater awareness was needed in such key moments.

However, Partey quickly silenced some of his critics with a moment of brilliance in the second half. His clean tackle and rapid transition sparked the move that led to Leandro Trossard’s equalizer. This crucial contribution underlined his defensive quality and ability to turn defense into attack seamlessly.

Fans flooded social media with praise for Partey’s game-changing intervention, acknowledging his impact in securing the Gunners’ victory. Yet, the earlier criticism still lingered, pointing to areas where improvement is needed.

As speculation over Partey’s future at Arsenal continues, this performance highlighted both his potential and imperfections. For now, the Ghanaian remains a vital piece in Mikel Arteta’s puzzle, capable of delivering decisive moments in high-stakes encounters.