Arsenal are in talks with Thomas Partey about extending the midfielder’s contract at the club.
Partey had been expected to leave the Emirates this summer, with his current deal expiring in the next few months.
However, some impressive performances have prompted a rethink on this front, and Partey is now likely to remain in N5.
A new one-year deal with an option for an additional year is on the cards, and this decision could have ramifications on other members and other potential members of Mikel Arteta’s ensemble.
With that said, here’s a look at three players who could be impacted by this new contract.
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Three players losing from Thomas Partey’s new Arsenal contract
Martin Zubimendi
According to David Ornstein, Martin Zubimendi is likely to sign for Arsenal in a £51 million deal this summer.
The Spaniard will expect to play a prominent role in Arteta’s team, with the Euro 2024 winner presumably given assurances over regular playing time upon agreeing to the switch.
However, with Partey remaining in Islington, on lucrative terms, Zubimendi’s role instantly becomes significantly less clear.
The extent to which the two players can co-exist in the same team remains to be seen, and this could potentially deter the prospective transfer from materialising.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly has burst onto the scene at left-back this season, thriving in a role which he wasn’t accustomed to prior to the campaign.
Raised a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly no doubt has visions of moving centrally and becoming one of Arsenal’s sixes or eights long-term.
With Jorginho and Partey both departing, opportunities may have opened up for the Hale End graduate to play in midfield next season.
However, with Partey and potentially Zubimendi in the mix, it’s unlikely that there’ll be the requisite openings for him in his natural position over the coming years.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino has been excellent up front for Arsenal since Kai Havertz’ injury, but the Spain international is unlikely to be used in this role frequently next season.
The Gunners are on the hunt for a new striker, and thus, Merino will have to find a permanent home in midfield if he’s to get minutes next season.
The potential Partey departure would’ve given him hope of getting more of a look-in in his traditional position, but now he’ll be lower down in the pecking order.
With the likes of Partey, Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in Arsenal’s squad, it’s hard to see where the minutes will come from for Merino.
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