For the first time, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed the club’s handling of the serious allegations surrounding former midfielder Thomas Partey, insisting that the club followed all the proper protocols throughout the process.
Speaking during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Singapore, Arteta responded to the growing scrutiny surrounding the case, affirming the club’s position. “We followed the right steps—completely,” he said, standing by how Arsenal approached the matter.
Partey, who left the club at the end of June when his contract expired, has since been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges involve three different women, with the alleged incidents taking place between 2021 and 2022—during his tenure with the North London side. He was first arrested in July 2022, but continued playing while investigations were ongoing.
Arsenal has acknowledged Partey’s contract formally ended on June 30, 2025. Due to legal restrictions, the club says it cannot provide further public comment at this time.
Arteta emphasized that while the case is deeply serious, Arsenal’s decisions were made based on legal guidance and the information available at each stage. “It’s never black and white,” he noted. “Legal matters are complicated, and we made sure to act within the right framework.”
Partey’s legal representative, Jenny Wiltshire, has said he denies all allegations and has cooperated fully with authorities during the lengthy investigation. He is expected to appear in court on August 5 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Much of the debate has centered on the club’s decision to keep Partey on the team while legal proceedings played out—especially since some clubs have chosen to suspend players under similar circumstances. Arsenal’s approach, however, was more measured, opting not to take public action until his contract naturally came to an end.
The case has prompted wider conversations around how football clubs should navigate serious legal allegations, especially when investigations stretch over months or even years.
