Mikel Arteta hints at new Arsenal plan as he confirms Thomas Partey’s future
It had been reported that Mikel Arteta was ready to let the midfielder leave should a replacement be found, but the Gunners boss has now insisted he has a key role to play next season.
Partey signed for £45million from Atletico Madrid three years ago and he had formed an effective partnership with Granit Xhaka, who was recently been sold by Arsenal.
Declan Rice has replaced Xhaka in a British record transfer and Arteta believes the England midfielder can play alongside Partey.
“Yes,” Arteta confirmed to reporters in the United States when asked if the Ghanaian will stay.
“Thomas Partey is a super-important player for us and for me and we want him to be in the team, that’s for sure.
“[Him and Rice] can play together. That was in my plans – if you want to improve the squad and have more quality we need players who can play together and need players in the same positions who have to fight for their places – it’s something we haven’t had in the last few years.
“We want to improve that and that’s why we brought in Declan as well. Every time I spoke to [Partey] and had a conversation with him, he’s ready to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there at all.”
Arsenal play Manchester United in a friendly tonight and Arteta has deployed a bold 4-3-3 system during pre-season so far, featuring Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz in midfield roles.
Rice could make his first start in New Jersey while Partey may feature after arriving late to the tour.
