It was the performance of £45m deadline day signing Partey that stood out. The former Atletico Madrid player was a calm presence in midfield, breaking down attacks and building play with apparently effortless ease.
It was only Partey’s second appearance in an Arsenal shirt after a late cameo in the 1-0 defeat by Manchester City in the Premier League at the weekend, and Arteta is excited by what is to come from the Ghana international.
“I think he held the midfield by himself in the second half when we were a little bit more open,” said the Arsenal boss. “He started to take more chances attacking certain spaces with some players.
“I think he was fantastic and there is much more to come from him.”
With the goal, David Luiz became the oldest Arsenal player to score in an European competition since Sol Campbell against FC Porto back in 2010 in the Champions League.
Asides Luiz, fellow Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes also put in an inspiring performance and was an assured presence in defence as well.
This is probably the toughest of Arsenal’s group games on paper, so Mikel Arteta will be thrilled to have taken all three points even if the performance left much to be desired.
He will not have been overly pleased at having to bring on Aubameyang to get the result they wanted, with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah ineffective.
They are level with Molde on three points, two goals scored and one conceded after the Norwegian side won away to Dundalk.
