Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal is up in the air.
The Ghanaian has produced mixed performances this season, although he has managed to stay fit for the majority of the campaign, making 50 appearances across all competitions thus far.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Arsenal have been in talks with Partey about a new deal in recent months.
However, these negotiations appear to have stalled somewhat, with Partey issuing a deadline for when he wants the terms to be finalised earlier this week.
Mikel Arteta gives coy response to new Thomas Partey contract question
Plagued by injury for the majority of his time at the North London club, Partey has made a miraculous physical recovery this season, featuring in almost every game for Arsenal.
However, he has come up short in some high-leverage moments, and it’s clear that the Gunners should be looking to reduce their dependence on the player.
That said, the Emirates hierarchy is clear on wanting to tie Partey down to a new short-term contract.
If this doesn’t materialise, however, then the 31-year-old will play his last home game in an Arsenal shirt on Sunday against Newcastle.
Asked specifically about Partey’s prospective new deal and it potentially being several players’ last Emirates outing in his press conference on Friday, Mikel Arteta produced a coy response.
“I wouldn’t like to talk specifically about anybody,” he said.
“There are a few cases, we will try to show our gratitude for the time we have had together and hopefully our supporters can do too.”
A cryptic and non-revealing reply, Arteta clearly wants to keep his cards close to his chest on the matter.
Arsenal need to let Thomas Partey leave this summer
Partey was poor against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg, and the player’s struggles on the big stage are becoming a theme.
While he’s capable of walking through matches against inferior opposition, he often makes bad decisions when under serious pressure in matches against top-quality sides.
Barcelona have been linked with the Ghana international, as have clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Instead of continuing contract negotiations and looking to pay a declining 31-year-old a lucrative wage, Arsenal must leverage this interest from elsewhere and convince the player to take one of those offers.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to sign from Real Sociedad, and it’s time Arsenal get younger in this position by blooding the Spaniard, and by allowing Partey to leave.
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