As the 2024/2025 season draws to a close, Arsenal find themselves at a crossroads regarding the future of midfield stalwart Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian international has been a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s starting eleven this term. With his contract set to expire, the Gunners are mulling over a one-year extension for the experienced midfielder, reports CaughtOffside.
Partey’s influence on the pitch and his ability to perform at the highest level have made him an invaluable asset for the Gunners. His versatility has been particularly noteworthy, with the 31-year-old even deputising at right-back when called upon. Arteta’s consistent selection of Partey underscores the manager’s faith in the player’s abilities.
However, the decision to extend Partey’s stay is far from straightforward. At this stage in his career, Arsenal must carefully weigh the benefits of retaining his experience against the potential of introducing fresh, younger talent to the squad.
The situation is further complicated by reported interest from European heavyweights Barcelona and Juventus, per the same report. The Italian giants are said to be prepared to offer Partey a two-year deal, which could potentially inflate his wage demands or lure him away from North London altogether.
For Arsenal, extending Partey’s contract could provide a stabilising presence in midfield for another campaign. His wealth of experience could prove crucial as the Gunners continue their pursuit of silverware. However, the club must also consider whether retaining an ageing player aligns with their long-term vision and strategy.
The final decision may hinge on Partey’s willingness to adapt his role and potentially accept a revised financial package. If he can continue to contribute effectively while allowing Arsenal the flexibility to evolve their squad, a one-year extension could prove mutually beneficial.
ADMIN COMMENT
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Sorry to go OT but just watched Fulham beat Man U in F A CUP quarter final with so many ex Arsenal players playing, Leno, Iwobi, Smith-Rowe, Willian, Heaven and Obi. There’s a message there I think… !
Willian particularly caught my attention with quite a solid performance for someone we long after we deemed him past his prime.
And Welbeck too was yet another with a beautiful goal for Brighton this evening in the other fixture.
Could be saying something about our man-management
I don’t know if we’ve exhausted all options for Obi. Arteta had to find a way and stay with us.
We aren’t quite convinced if we need Thomas Partey …. there’s been lots of complaints about his injury record.
Then there’s the case of persistent inconsistency though I’ve often there’s been a bias element.
While I could have been happy for is extended stay, rather he moves on and get younger legs in.
check our record with Tomas in MF versus our record when he is crocked or playing RB. It is clear he is an integral, dare I say essential, part of the team.
No matter who we eventually sign, Partey has to stay, its just common sense. What if he has gotten over his injuries just as we have seen this season. Is it his age ? A certain Modric still plays football.
TP has has been one of our best performer this season. Come to even think of it, how many players are better than him in his position?
I can’t agree less with you @HENZY. But the Mikel’s management of Partey doesn’t seem to suggest all these important observations you are making. And he’s the manager and knows more about Partey and the results he wants than all of us.
You mention Modric? Welbeck and Willian made me really envious of them in their recent FA Cup performances. May be we won’t regret letting Partey go, who knows
He’s in our best 11 still – if we’re replacing him then yes, perhaps it’s time, but if not, him leaving only weakens us
I really hope his contract is sorted sharpish. There is no replacement for him in our squad. We need younger legs around him but this guy is a master.
Such a no brainer. We need to re-sign Partey. Of course, injury was a concern in the past but lately he has been reliable and steady.
That said, don’t think Partey will stay. He will be holding out for the last long term deal of his career. Can’t see Arsenal competing on this front with the Saudis. Such a pity he will be leaving for free.
Keeping Partey and having a new pair of younger legs in that defensive midfield are not mutually exclusive; we can do both especially as it’s most likely that Jorginho is going.
Partey seems to have turned his injury corner and is ready to contribute more to success for Arsenal
So for me, a one year new deal with an option to extend a further year.
He can be used in rotation with the new player. All good teams have quality options everywhere on the pitch. Arsenal should not be an exception
Except Partey will get 3 year offers for a lot more money from teams not burdened with a transfer fee. He’ll go for the money as this is his last big contract.
If we are going to let players go, how about starting with last summers three transfers in.
Merino, Calafiori and Sterling.
None of the three actually made us better, and we spent a lot of money on them.
Replace Merino with Zubamendi.
Sell Calafiori and Zinc to help Buy a top, top left winger with pace to burn to back up Nellie
Buy one of Bournemouth’s young center halves and sell Kiwior to pay for him.
Sell Zinc to pay a for back up to Skelly and/or Timber.
Sell Jesus, Trossard and Tommy to help towards the cost of a TOP goalscorer.
Buy a cheap young lower league forward with potential, like
Tyler Dibling
Possible Team for next season :
Raya
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber
Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi
Saka, New Forward, Nellie
Reserves:
Nwanerie, Skelly, new CH, Partey, new Left Winger, new young Forward
Sorry, I must have been daydreaming !!!
Trossard would keep it.
If you are going to continually reject my comments, please have the decency to tell me why!
I have not rejected any of your comments, for some reason your comments are held in moderation and I cannot approve them untiul I see them when I get online.
Partey is gone. At 31 years old we would want a short term contract at reduced wages. But Barcelona and Juventus probably will pay him more as they get him on a free transfer. The physical demands of those leagues is a lot less so he can be offered a longer term contract at less risk. He has been our best MF this year. Over the last 4 years our record when he is in the MF is way better than our record when he isn’t. We need him but others will make the financial gamble that we won’t. We’ll invest in Zubimendi and then get him crocked.
Zubimendi is unlikely to come our way. We’ve rarely been linked with a player for long and we end up with him. We are Surprise Masters in both positive and negative ways!! Ozil. Sterling. Lewis Skelly. Viera II ….
How about Odegard who has been average since Saka’s injury and Partey has been better than Declan all season. I think Ordegard and Declan should be sold for better players and we retain Partey our better player.
Philip
This is a good suggestion but an impossibly. How do you carve out Arteta’s darling players for sale? He would not grant such a request, because it would be like having eggs on his face.