Merson backs new signing Partey to shine at Arsenal

(Reuters) - The 45 million pounds Arsenal shelled out for midfielder Thomas Partey on transfer deadline day could prove to be a bargain, former Gunners forward Paul Merson has said.

Merson added that the 27-year-old Ghanaian, who arrived from Atletico Madrid, would bring discipline and quality to the side.

"I think Thomas Partey is a top drawer player. I nearly fell off my chair with 45 million pounds, I don't think that's a lot of money at all for the quality of player," Merson, who played for Arsenal between 1985-97, told Sky Sports.

"One thing he brings as well is discipline. Atletico Madrid are probably one of the most disciplined teams in Europe and he will do that.

"He's not a midfielder that goes running all over the place ... I think he will be a great signing."

Arsenal have also signed Willian, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Gabriel Magalhaes and Dani Ceballos as they bid to improve on their eighth-placed finish last season.

"I think what (manager) Mikel Arteta is doing, he's trying to get rid of the players who aren't involved, he doesn't want them hanging around and he wants them out," Merson added.

"Fair play, I like what Arsenal are doing."

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)