£17m Arsenal ‘protagonist’ could now suddenly get shock opportunity at Arsenal because of Thomas Partey

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Arsenal are having to be patient over the future of midfielder Thomas Partey.

Arsenal offered a contract to Partey back in May after the Ghanaian produced his best season at the Emirates Stadium since his arrival in 2020.

Partey is talking to other clubs as he explores all of the options on the table and is concerned about his status under Mikel Arteta with the imminent signing of Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal want a quick resolution with Partey so that Andrea Berta can consider other transfer options if required. There could also be an unexpected internal solution arising…

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Albert Sambi Lokonga could be handed Arsenal lifeline

Should Partey depart the Gunners this summer, Arteta would be left with just three recognised central midfielders after Jorginho also signed for Flamengo.

Declan Rice and Mikel Merino would join Zubimendi as the trio of options and should Berta decide to spend his transfer budget in other areas, it could open up a return for Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Lokonga’s contract was extended by a further year recently in order to protect his transfer value but the indecision surrounding Partey could mean first-team opportunities arise for the Belgian.

He spent the season on loan at Sevilla with the Spanish media praising Lokonga for several performances, even calling the midfielder a ‘protagonist’ for his side.

What Albert Sambi Lokonga has said about working with Mikel Arteta again

Lokonga was full of praise for Arteta in a recent interview and despite being frustrated at his previous lack of opportunities at Arsenal, the midfielder would jump at the chance to work with the Spanish coach again.

The Belgian international stated: “With Mikel [Arteta], I learned so much and, for me, he is one of the best coaches I have had in my career. It is how he is in the details, how he is predicting things that can happen on the pitch. He is a leader.

“Spending one year with him, it is like you maybe spend five years with someone else. You learn so much. So if I had to do it again, I would do it again.”

A role in the Gunners midfield would still be a tall order for Lokonga to cement however, with Arteta wanting to challenge on all four fronts next season, he may still have a say yet.