Arsenal star Thomas Partey has now linked up with the Arsenal squad in their pre-season tour in the USA, and they are reportedly no longer considering selling the midfielder.
The 30-year-old was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and with just two years left on his contract and a poor injury record, there were whispers that the club could look to cash in on the Ghana international.
However, despite the arrival of Declan Rice this summer, Arsenal clearly see Partey as a key player, and they are now no longer considering his departure.
Ghaniani journalist Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo has revealed that the defensive midfielder has joined Arsenal’s USA tour, a few days after the squad initially flew out, and is preparing for the season ahead.
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Will Partey start for Arsenal next season?
The former Atletico Madrid star was one of Arsenal’s best performers for most of last season as the Gunners embarked on an ambitious title charge, but a slight dip in form towards the end of the campaign saw him lose his place in the side to Jorginho.
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With Kai Havertz joining to replace the departed Granit Xhaka, it seems that Partey may no longer have a starting place next season.
However, Arteta now has extra tactical flexibility. He could select Rice, Havertz and Martin Odegaard as his midfield trio in most games, but against tougher opponents, he could move Rice to a role further up the pitch, with Partey coming in as extra defensive solidity.
Despite his poor injury record, Partey has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, and replacing him will have been an incredibly difficult task, despite the arrival of Rice.
Losing two starting midfielders in Xhaka and Partey in one window may have been too much to handle for Mikel Arteta, and keeping him will mean Arsenal possess incredible strength in depth for next season.