Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has stood by the club’s decision regarding the exit of Thomas Partey, following the Ghanaian midfielder’s arrest in early July over multiple rape and sexual assault allegations.
Partey, 32, who joined the Gunners in 2020 from Atletico Madrid for £45 million, saw his contract expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The club opted not to renew the deal, and just days later, he was charged by British authorities with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022.
The midfielder, who made 35 Premier League appearances and featured 12 times in the Champions League last season, is scheduled to appear before magistrates in London on August 5.
Arsenal addressed the matter in a brief statement released on July 4, the day of Partey’s arrest, “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”
During Arsenal’s pre-season preparations in Singapore, Arteta was questioned about whether the allegations were behind the club’s decision to let Partey go.
The Spaniard firmly responded, “The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.”
“When pressed further, Arteta stressed that the club’s actions were above board: “I’m 100 percent convinced that Arsenal followed the correct procedure.”
The unfolding legal battle casts a shadow over Partey’s post-Arsenal future, while the club maintains its position of silence pending the outcome of the case.
