Speculation linking with a summer move to Arsenal messed with ’s head, according to former Gunner Emmanuel Petit.
Partey put in a poor performance against as Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw at the London Stadium on Sunday to dent their title hopes.
At one point, Partey clumsily gave the ball away to Rice deep in his own half, which directly led to a penalty being conceded and he was also later booked before being hauled off in the 67th minute.
Arsenal are strongly linked with signing West Ham star Rice, who plays in the same position as Partey, and Petit feels that may have affected the Ghana star.
‘Sometimes it happens that you just don’t have a good game,’ Petit told about Partey’s performance in east London.
‘Since he joined Arsenal he has been brilliant. But it was a tough fight he was having up against Declan Rice in the middle of the park.
‘And with all the speculation surrounding Rice possibly signing for Arsenal, that could be something that was playing on his mind.
‘I think for me, this is the only reason I can see that Thomas Partey didn’t have a good game against West Ham.’
Rice was spotted from following the game as rumours over a move to the Emirates intensified.
 despite interest from fellow Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea.
 and  – having already made plans regarding where he would fit in his system at the Emirates.
Arsenal legend Paul Merson  but Jack Wilshere .
