Thomas impressed the party for the first time. Owen Hargreaves’ assessment of the party’s first start for Arsenal against Rapid Vienna was’ one of the best debuts I have ever seen ‘.

His manager Michael Arteta’s vision was ‘amazing and forthcoming’. ‘This is where he looks like Patrick Vieira, walking with the ball and making things happen,’ Arsenal legend Martin Keone praised.

Arsenal’s new $ 45 million midfielder from Atletico Madrid has already been named the club’s all – time great. We will get back to that.

Arsenal boss Michael Arteta (above) believes he has more to do with the Ghana midfielder

This is not always the case. When he arrived at Thema Youth, a club in his native Ghana, at the age of 16, the impact was not so obvious.

Yet there was something there, shining rough.

‘He was a little slow in his game,’ Tony Loco, the party coach at Thema, told The Mail on Sunday. ‘But you can see he’s hungry to win. This boy has something, and we need to help him achieve it. I could see something better in the boy in the future. ‘

Something was a constant focus, a calm but courageous determination to succeed. ‘He wanted to learn,’ says Loco. After all the games he would come up to me and ask me what I had done wrong and try to correct them. He was very calm and focused on his game.

The party, pictured here with his mother in Ghana, returns home for training with his former teammate Thema.

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‘He has implemented it all. It was his attention and determination that got him to this point. I’m not surprised. This is not a fluke, I saw him in his youth. He is growing. I am very proud of him. ‘

That pride burned when they saw Arsenal make their debut against Rapid Vienna. He conquered midfield, smashed tackles, dominated the air, calmed down, and measured with the ball on his feet.

The eldest of eight children was a quiet child of the party. The father was the coach of a club in their hometown of Odumas Krobo. When he moved from Thema to Atletico Madrid in 2011, he sold his property to buy boots and arrange visas.

The now $ 45 million midfielder (left) has begun a career in his hometown of Ghana.

When an African player moves to the Premier League, it often gives them a lot of leeway in their journey from poverty to a country of fame and fortune. Parte’s path starts that way, but it’s evil that is handed down to escape.

“Most of these players are from poverty-stricken areas,” said Thema president Wilfred Oz Palmer. The path he took was also affected by poverty. That’s why our club is set to take them to the streets and give them a meaningful life. ‘

However, while Premier League players have three shirts per game, Palmer laughs when admitted that themed ones will have one all season. ‘I always tell them to strive for something big and change your life and family life.’

The late developer spent most of his first season on the bench. He had talents in front of him.

But he never lost heart, having proved himself when Thema went undefeated when he was promoted to the top division in Ghana at the end of the 2010-11 season. For a moment it stuck in Loco’s mind.

In 2011, the party sealed a move to Spanish team Atletico Madrid

It was a competition to qualify for the Premiership. We were below a goal. I called him from the bench. I said, “I believe in you. Go and change the face of the game. “He got a draw and we won the game. He ran to me and I never forgot it. ‘

The party has not forgotten them. When he returns to Ghana, he returns to Thema to train with current players. ‘He makes a speech after their game. He is an inspiration to them, ‘says Palmer. The party moved to Atletico in 2011.

No one knew. No one in his family, only his father. Not even the party is sure. He was offered a trial in Spain, taken to the airport, handed over his passport and boarded a plane. He was an athletic player until he was discovered by others in the family.

The leader of the party is Michael Essin (above), a Ghanaian who has won several trophies at Chelsea

Four years later, the party will make its debut in the first team. Again, the party had to use that focus and that determination.

The party is led by Michael Asean, a Ghanaian who has won two Premier League titles and the Champions League with Chelsea. Palmer coached Essay at St. Augustine’s College. The first of the two comparisons above.

‘They play a similar role,’ Palmer says. Esion was box-to-box, and this also applies to brain function. Thomas had good time and energy, but not so much courage. They have similar advantages in terms of power and drive. He can turn the defensive stance into a criminal opportunity.

Some pundits and experts have compared the party to former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira (left).

He plays long search passes. Thomas will grow up and have better qualities than Ezion, trust me. Yes, Thomas will give you the best. ‘

For Loco, like Kion, it’s an Arsenal legend that evokes memories of the party. Arteta’s view of Arsenal evokes a return to the old golden age. Players of skill and grace, but a forgotten force and command at the end of Arsene Wenger’s era.

The dominance of the party in the midfield will be the cornerstone for Arteta to build his team.

The party (left) is described as a humble midfielder willing to learn

‘I believe he will make a huge impact,’ Loco says. ‘I see him playing like Vieira. But he is more proficient. Vieira was a ball-winner, but with Thomas he was more aggressive.

‘Thomas is kind. He is not an angry person. Very focused. Good listener. He always wants to know more. He will not repent until he has done something. Now he has. He is now the Thomas I expected. ‘

If he gets his first impression during this time, he could be the player Arsenal supporters have long wanted.