Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta on Monday defended the club’s handling of Thomas Partey’s departure after the Ghanaian international midfielder was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault.
Arsenal did not renew the 32-year-old’s contract at the end of last season, and days later he was charged by British authorities with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022.
Partey is scheduled to appear before magistrates in London on August 5.
Arsenal released a statement on July 4, the day Partey was detained, saying, “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the club is unable to comment on the case.”
Arteta was questioned during Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore if the charges against Partey were the deciding reason for his release.
The Spaniard claimed he was “100 per cent” satisfied Arsenal had followed the right procedure, adding, “The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated, so I cannot comment on any of that.”
Partey moved to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for £45 million in October 2020.
He played 35 games in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals, and 12 in the Champions League.
