The Arsenal Supporters Club Ghana notes with strong disapproval, comments attributed to Black Stars coach C. K. Akonnor on the transfer negotiation for midfielder, Thomas Partey.
In the widely reported statement, Coach Akonnor suggested that Partey’s transfer to Arsenal may be a step down in his career. The Arsenal Supporters Club Ghana takes strong exception to that comment and state our position as follows:
1.Arsenal is by far a bigger club by all metrics of football success than Athletico Madrid. Arsenal is the third most successful club in England – a country with the best and most competitive football league in the world.
Arsenal is third English club with the highest number of league titles.
2.Arsenal is the record and current holders of the English FA Emirates Cup – the second most prestigious trophy in England. It is therefore unacceptable to look down on a club with such superior records in comparison with one of far less.
3.Again, it is unfair to infer mediocrity on Partey joining Arsenal, when the captain of the Black Stars of which Akonnor coaches, is celebrated despite being in a team that could not secure promotion to the top tier side where Arsenal is a historic powerhouse.
4.Partey moving to Arsenal will be a step forward in his career because not only will he be at a celebrated club, he will as well receive greater prominence than what he gets at his current club. He stands to get a better shot at individual accolade such as the prestigious African Player of the Year awards due to the exposure guaranteed by the EPL.
5.There is no security at his current club but a move to Arsenal will boost not only his morale but additionally, he will have a level of security since no club buys big players and bench them. For a coach seeking to build a young formidable team, we are shocked that, Akonnor overlooked the fact that, Partey’s presence in England can help convince young footballers there, who may have the option to play for Ghana or England, to actually choose Ghana.
6.Even for Akonnor himself, Partey moving to Arsenal will enhance his credentials for managing a player who gets better prominence on the world stage. Besides, we all know how Black Stars coaches embark on monitoring assignments in Europe. Coach Akunnor will actually receive preferential treatment whenever he visits this prestigious club.
7.In view of the above reasons, we submit that Coach Akonnor’s comment was uninformed. A senior national team coach of his standing should have known better. We fear that, this shortcoming Akonnor has openly demonstrated may reflect his ability to coach a team of the calibre the Black Stars of Ghana and that is unfortunate.
8.We have decided to ignore similar disapproving remarks by ex-Black Stars player, Derek Boateng because of our conviction that, the weight of his contribution to football is equal to the weight of his words. We wish Thomas Partey well in any decision he takes.
