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Villarreal signed Partey on a free transfer following his release by Arsenal, despite pressure from supporters not to.<\/p>\n
More than 1,000 supporters have signed a petition set up by online content hub Villarreal Report to protest Partey’s signing.<\/p>\n
Partey made his debut on the opening weekend of the La Liga season at home to Real Oviedo on 15 August and each touch during his 15-minute cameo was met with whistling from the home crowd.<\/p>\n
He has since made two further substitute appearances, before making his first start of the season against another former club – Atletico Madrid – at the weekend.<\/p>\n
Villarreal head coach Marcelino said before the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium that he was “totally convinced” Partey was “mentally prepared and technically prepared to play”.<\/p>\n
“We are very happy Thomas is with us for his football capacity, football ability and his presence as a human,” Marcelino said on Monday.<\/p>\n
“He is a great player with a lot of experience. He has played for a lot of top clubs. We know he has a great level.”<\/p>\n
When Marcelino was asked if he had spoken to Partey about the hostility he could face from Tottenham fans, the Spaniard said he was focusing on the football.<\/p>\n
“We’re interpreting stuff about and talking about a player that could be totally innocent,” said Marcelino.<\/p>\n
Partey played 167 times for Arsenal after joining in 2020, scoring nine goals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n