Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has put an end to the swirling transfer rumors surrounding Thomas Partey, asserting that the Ghanaian midfielder will remain at the club, News About Nigeria gathered.
Partey had been linked with a potential exit from Arsenal, with interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and Italy.
However, Arteta’s recent comments suggest that Partey’s future lies with Arsenal in north London.
During a press conference in New Jersey ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season friendly against Manchester United, Arteta was questioned about Partey’s role in the team.
He emphatically stated, “Thomas is a super important player for us and for me. I want him to be part of the team. That’s for sure.”
When pressed further about whether he expected Partey to stay, Arteta simply replied, “Yes,” reaffirming his confidence in the midfielder’s commitment to the club.
The manager also addressed the arrival of Declan Rice, another defensive midfielder, who has raised questions about Partey’s place in the squad.
The Arsenal manager expressed his belief that both players can coexist and contribute to the team’s success. “They can play together,” he stated.
“If you want to improve the squad and have more quality, you need players that can fight for the same places. It’s something that we haven’t had in the last few years. We wanted to improve that. That’s why we bought Declan as well,” Arteta added.
Partey’s late arrival to Arsenal’s preseason tour in the USA had fueled further speculations about his future. However, Arteta confirmed that the midfielder is ready to stay and is expected to be in contention for the match against Manchester United at MetLife Stadium.
