Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended the club’s decision to part ways with Thomas Partey, following the midfielder’s arrest on allegations of rape and sexual assault.
Partey, 32, was released at the end of last season after his contract expired on June 30. Just days later, British police charged the Ghanaian with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, alleged to have occurred between 2021 and 2022. He is scheduled to appear before a magistrate in London on August 5.
Asked during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore whether the serious allegations influenced the club’s decision not to renew Partey’s contract, Arteta maintained the club handled the situation appropriately.
“I’m 100 percent convinced that Arsenal followed the correct procedure,” said the Spaniard. “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.”
Arsenal had issued a brief statement on July 4, saying: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Partey joined the Gunners from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million. He made 35 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals, and featured 12 times in the Champions League.
