Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta has defended the club’s handling of Thomas Partey’s departure, amid allegations of rape and sexual assault against the Ghanaian midfielder.
Partey was arrested on suspicion of these offenses and charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022.
Arsenal did not offer Partey a new contract at the end of last season, with his existing deal expiring on June 30.
The club released a 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.”
When asked if the allegations against Partey influenced the club’s decision not to renew his contract, Arteta said he was “100 percent” convinced that Arsenal had followed the correct procedure.
“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”, he added.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for £45 million in October 2020.
He made 35 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals, and 12 Champions League appearances.
The 32-year-old is due to appear before magistrates in London on August 5.
AFP
