Mikel Arteta Breaks Silence On Thomas Partey Sexual Assault Charges

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that the club acted appropriately over the ongoing controversy surrounding former midfielder Thomas Partey.

Note that Thomas Partey left Arsenal after the expiration of his contract with the club on June 30, 2025.

About four days after his official exit from the Gunners, reports emerged that the 32-year-old Ghana international is facing multiple charges of rape and sexual assault.

Naija News has reported that Partey is charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, linked to incidents involving three different women in 2021 and 2022. A statement released by the Metropolitan Police revealed this on July 4.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s pre-season clash with AC Milan in Singapore, Arteta was asked whether he believed the club had done everything right in its handling of the situation while Thomas Partey was still a player.

“The club was very clear in its statement,” Arteta responded. “There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.”

Pressed further on whether he had full confidence in Arsenal’s internal procedures, Arteta stated, “100%, yes.”

The charges involve a complex timeline and multiple complainants. Two of the rape charges came from accusations by one woman, while three additional rape charges relate to another. The single count of sexual assault is connected to a third woman.

Partey, through his legal team, has denied all allegations and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”

According to reports, police began investigating the case in February 2022 after an initial complaint of rape was made.

Partey, who signed for Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 for £45 million, played a crucial role in the club’s midfield last season. He featured in 35 Premier League matches, scoring four goals.

Partey made 12 appearances in the Champions League last season as the Gunners reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ghana international is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.

As for Arsenal, the Premier League side have pre-season games against Inter Milan at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Newcastle United on Sunday, July 27, and against Tottenham Hotspur at 12:30 p.m. on July 31.