Arsenal face a crucial decision regarding Thomas Partey, whose contract expires at the end of the current season. With the possibility of the Ghanaian midfielder leaving on a free transfer, the Gunners must act decisively to retain him, writes DYLAN JOHNSON.
Losing Partey, especially given the club’s significant investment needs across all positions, would be a massive setback. This issue is compounded by the likely departure of Jorginho, whose contract is also set to expire, stripping Arsenal of vital experience in midfield. If Arsenal must keep one of them, it has to be Partey.
Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for approximately €50 million, Partey has played a key role in Arsenal’s resurgence under Mikel Arteta. His tenure at Atletico saw him win La Liga, the UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA Super Cup while also making an appearance in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final. Despite battling injuries, Partey has amassed over 150 appearances for Arsenal, showing his importance to the squad.
His influence extends beyond his natural midfield role. This season, he has even stepped in at right fullback during Ben White’s absence. His dedication was evident in the preseason, where he arrived in peak physical condition, earning praise from Arteta.
Partey’s presence allows teammates like Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice to push higher up the pitch and press more effectively. His positioning prevents opposition attackers from dropping deep into midfield, as he quickly puts them under pressure using his physicality and awareness. In a double pivot with Rice, Partey enhances Arsenal’s attacking play by giving Rice the freedom to progress up the pitch.
On the ball, Partey is among the best in the league at retaining possession under pressure. He is comfortable receiving the ball from David Raya or in tight midfield spaces, recycling possession, or breaking lines with his passing. His ability to distribute long balls allows Arsenal’s wingers and forwards to exploit defensive gaps, starting dangerous attacking plays. His passing accuracy this season stands at an impressive 88.9%, ranking only behind Rice, William Saliba, and Gabriel in Arsenal’s squad.
Beyond his technical qualities, Partey’s leadership is an underrated asset. His experience helps guide young talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, giving them passing options and stability in high-pressure situations. He also plays a key role in identifying and stopping dangerous opposition plays, winning back possession, and launching Arsenal’s attacks.
Concerns about his mobility due to age have been dismissed by his performances this season. He remains a top defensive midfielder with an elite ability to read the game. His importance and quality has been highlighted by interest from top European clubs, with Barcelona, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain all reportedly keen on signing him on a free transfer at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Arsenal’s title push has been underwhelming this season due to injuries and an inability to consistently break down deep defensive setups. Partey is key in solving this issue, making his retention even more crucial. With the club prioritizing a world-class striker in the transfer market, replacing Partey with another high-caliber midfielder would stretch their budget and limit their options in the attacking market.
Arsenal cannot afford to let Partey leave for free. His experience, intelligence, and leadership make him too important to lose at a time when the club is pushing for the Premier League title. Instead of searching for a replacement, Arsenal must secure a contract extension for their midfield general and focus their resources on strengthening the squad elsewhere.
Photo: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images