With the January transfer window fast approaching, Mikel Arteta will be turning his attention to the make up of his Arsenal squad.
Whilst the Gunners aren’t expected to be hugely busy in the market this winter, there could still be business done at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal have been urged to sign a striker, and if the opportunity to sign the kind of prolific goalscorer they are missing arises in January, then Mikel Arteta will have to be ready to act fast and take the chance.
Meanwhile, there are a few players who could be in line for an exit, with midfielder Thomas Partey amongst that number.
Arsenal stance on Thomas Partey
As the Ghanaian’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season, when the January transfer window opens foreign clubs will be able to secure his future services on a pre-contract agreement.
As such, there is growing pressure on Arsenal to make a decision about his long-term future. It would seem, though, that Arteta does not view this situation as a priority concern.
As reported by the Daily Mail: “Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey’s future is uncertain with no significant progress made on a new contract – and just 20 days until he can sign a deal elsewhere.
“Partey’s five-year deal, signed when he joined for £45million from Atletico Madrid in 2020, expires in the summer – and as such he can sign a pre-contract with overseas clubs from January 1. The fact Arsenal are in the market to sign a new central midfielder, most likely in the summer, and have begun identifying targets indicates that Partey could leave the club at the end of the season.
“Partey will turn 32 before next season, and sources have indicated there is no major urgency at Arsenal to nail down Partey’s future despite his re-emergence this season.”
It is also worth noting that Jorginho is in the same boat as Partey. As things stand, the Gunners are set to lose the veteran midfield pair at the end of the season, and either could be poached on a pre-contract agreement before then.
Does Thomas Partey deserve a new Arsenal contract?
Partey has impressed at times for Arsenal this season, and appears to have put his recurrent injury issues behind him.
His versatility has also proved useful, as he has been called upon to deputise at right-back at times, as he did against Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
However, the fact remains that the former Atletico Madrid man is in the twilight years of his career, and Arteta still cannot afford to rely too heavily on his fitness.
What’s more, Myles Lewis-Skelly needs a pathway to move into midfield. Allowing Partey to leave the club would create a space for the Hale End academy gem in the middle of the park.
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