Mikel Arteta Decides Thomas Partey’s Fate at Arsenal: The Final Verdict
Thomas Partey has been linked with a summer transfer away from Arsenal, but manager Mikel Arteta wants him to remain in the club’s plans.
Mikel Arteta has stated that he wants Thomas Partey to remain at Arsenal and that the midfielder remains a part of his future plans.
The Ghanaian international has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with Saudi club Al-Ahli keen in signing him.
Arsenal’s £105 million acquisition of Declan Rice from West Ham suggested that Arteta was prepared to let Partey go, but the Gunners manager stated that he desires the 30-year-old to remain with the club.
“Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me and we want him to be in the team, that’s for sure,” stated Arteta.
When asked if Rice had been acquired to replace Partey, Arteta stated that the two can play together in central midfield.
“Yeah, they can play together,” stated Arteta. “That was in my plans. If you want to improve the squad and have more quality, we need players who can play together.
“We need players in the same positions who have to fight for their places and that’s something we haven’t had over the last few years. We want to improve that and that’s why we brought in Declan as well.”
When asked if he believed Partey would remain, Arteta stated:
“Yes. Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him, he’s ready to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there at all.”
Arteta believes the upcoming season will be even more challenging for Arsenal, after the club pushed so hard in the title race last year, only to be overtaken by Manchester City in the final stretch.
Thomas Partey has been associated to a departure from Arsenal.
“It will be harder, for sure, because the level is going to go up and the teams are getting better and the league is getting stronger, so it’s only going to get harder,” said Arteta.
“We have to be better, play better and do things better than we did last year and that’s what we’re working on at the moment.
“I think what happened last season was probably necessary to learn the lessons that you have to learn to get better and be successful and achieve what we want to achieve.
“So it’s part of that road and that journey. We know the complexity of the league and the rivals that we have, but I’m sure they don’t want to play us.”
Mikel Arteta Decides Thomas Partey’s Fate at Arsenal: The Final Verdict
