Thomas Partey ready to live up to 'octopus' nickname, fit to make Arsenal debut at Manchester City

Ghanian midfielder joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day

Thomas Partey won the Europa League and played in the Champions League final at Atletico Madrid. PA

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has compared himself to an octopus and said he is ready to get his metaphorical tentacles into Manchester City on Saturday.

Partey, 27, completed a €50 million ($58.72m) transfer deadline day move to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid, making him the club's fourth-most expensive signing.

The combative midfielder said his primary objective is to help Arsenal fight for major trophies and he has made himself available for this weekend's Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad.

"The objective of the club, of me myself, is that we have to get back to where we belong," Partey told British media. "Everyone's excited and everyone wants to win something. That's my goal also.

"I always say, if I would be an animal, I would be an octopus. They called me the octopus because I stole a lot of balls.

"I know that working hard and giving all of my best in every game will determine if I live up to the fans' expectations."

Partey added that he felt no pressure because of his hefty price tag and was relishing the challenge of adapting to the Premier League.

"I like to challenge myself," he said. "It's all about learning fast. I want to play in the big matches, but it all depends on [manager Mikel Arteta] whether he wants me to play on Saturday or not."

Partey, who won the Europa League and played in the Champions League final with Atletico, said Mikel Arteta was a major factor in his decision to join Arsenal.

"[Arteta] was very important, him and [technical director] Edu told me about their plans and it was so exciting so I had to accept," he said.

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