Thomas Partey Set to Leave Club on Free Transfer
Arsenal fans have been left stunned and disappointed after it was confirmed that the club will not be renewing the contract of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey.
The 32-year-old star is set to leave the North London side as a free agent this week, bringing an end to his four-year spell at the Emirates Stadium.
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 for a reported fee of £45 million, was once seen as a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s midfield rebuild.
Known for his composure on the ball, defensive solidity, and experience at the highest level, Partey quickly established himself as a key figure in the Arsenal squad.
However, his time at the club has been marred by recurring injuries that limited his consistency and overall impact on the pitch.
During his tenure at Arsenal, Partey made over 100 appearances across all competitions and played a pivotal role in helping the Gunners secure Champions League qualification in recent seasons.
Despite his obvious talent and influence when fully fit, the club has decided not to offer the Ghanaian international a contract extension, citing long-term squad planning and fitness concerns.
The decision has not gone down well with a large section of the Arsenal fanbase. Supporters took to social media to express their disappointment and confusion, many of them emphasizing Partey’s leadership qualities and ability to control the midfield when fit.
“This is a shocking move. I get that injuries played a part, but Thomas Partey is still one of our best midfielders when he’s on the pitch,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). Another said, “Letting Partey go for free without a proper send-off is not the Arsenal way.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal have wasted no time in securing a replacement. The club has officially completed the signing of Danish international Christian Nørgaard from Brentford. Nørgaard, 30, has been one of Brentford’s standout performers since their promotion to the Premier League and brings a similar defensive midfield profile to that of Partey, with added Premier League experience and fitness reliability.
Nørgaard’s arrival signals Arsenal’s intent to evolve the midfield and bring in fresh energy ahead of a demanding 2025/26 campaign, which will see the Gunners competing in multiple tournaments, including the Champions League.
The Danish midfielder is expected to slot straight into Mikel Arteta’s plans, possibly forming a new midfield partnership with Declan Rice.
While Nørgaard’s signing has been generally well received, the shadow of Partey’s departure still looms large.
His exit not only marks the end of a chapter for Arsenal but also opens up questions about the club’s direction and how they plan to handle player transitions moving forward.
As Thomas Partey prepares for the next chapter in his career, reports suggest that clubs from Saudi Arabia, Italy, and Turkey are already lining up to secure his signature.
Wherever he ends up, there’s no doubt that the former Atletico Madrid man still has plenty to offer at the top level.
