Arsenal star Partey told he ‘can’t lace Rodri’s boots’ as pundit makes huge U-turn

Manchester City’s Rodri is the “best holding midfielder in the world” and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey “can’t lace his boots”, according to Darren Bent.

The Gunners were top of the Premier League table for most of the season until dropping off over the last month or so with Man City taking their spot at the summit.

Pep Guardiola’s side will win the Premier League title on Saturday if Arsenal lose at Nottingham Forest or if they beat Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Rodri has been one of the main reasons for City’s exceptional season that could see them end up with a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble.

The Spaniard shone in their 4-0 Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Real Madrid and former Premier League striker Bent is now of the opinion that he is a lot better than Arsenal midfielder Partey.

There has been debate between rival fans all season about who is the better midfielder but Bent thinks Rodri is “the best holding midfielder in the world”.

Bent said on talkSPORT: “It looks like Declan [Rice] is going to go in the summer and listen Declan’s a fantastic player.

“They’re talking about him being sold for £120[million]. What’s Rodri then? £150 [million]? At least!

“Do you know what it is? He can attack, he can score, he can defend and when I talk about the holding midfield role, dictating the tempo of the game, he does that really well.

“He always picks the right pass, he’s strong. He never gives the ball away. For me he’s the best holding midfielder in the world. I can’t think of anyone better.”

Bent admits that he had a different opinion earlier in the season with the ex-Tottenham striker waxing lyrical about Arsenal midfielder Partey – but his views have changed towards the end of the campaign.

“At the start of the season, for my sins, I was saying it was Thomas Partey. At the start of the season, unbelievable,” Bent added.

“He can’t lace Rodri’s boots now!”

Guardiola told reporters: “What a year. Everyone is talking about Haaland, but without him [Rodri] this would not have been possible.

“He has become the best midfielder we have, it has been an imperial year. We are very happy, very much.”

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