Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expects Thomas Partey to remain at the Emirates Stadium beyond this summer.
The Ghana international has been an important player for the Spanish tactician since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020.
Partey has however been hindered by multiple injuries which has impacted his game time on the pitch.
There have been reports that Partey could leave North London this summer as he has a year left to run on his contract and seems to have lost his starting berth to Declan Rice who has been ever-present for Arsenal in their charge towards the Premier League title.
Arteta however asserted that the 30-year-old still has a role to play.
“He better have his head here because that is what we expect! And we need him. He is a top player and you can see the impact he can have for us,” Arteta said ahead of the Gunners’ league game with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
“He’s our player, he’s got one more year on his contract and I’m really happy with him.”
Partey recently returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out since late October and has featured in Arsenal’s last four league matches, playing 67 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Luton Town.
One player that was ruled out from the Luton game was Bukayo Saka due to injury. While he will undergo a late fitness test before the Brighton game, Arteta does not believe the Anglo-Nigerian star is burned out and will see out the season.
“I’m super positive, I think he’s going to fly and be so decisive, Arteta stated.
“Because he’s so strong, how much he wants it when you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming, he wants to be there. He’s getting better and better and it’s normal to have little niggles. You have kicks and he’s gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and look at the way he’s performing.”
5️⃣ Premier League clean sheets in our last 7️⃣ games 💪
Mikel on the impressive defensive record this year 👇 pic.twitter.com/yN6ndEHCuY
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 5, 2024
Arsenal are second on the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
