Mikel Arteta breaks silence on Arsenal's handling of Thomas Partey rape charges
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists he is "100 percent" confident that the club followed the right process regarding Thomas Partey after the player was released and subsequently charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The Metropolitan Police hit the midfielder with the charges on July 4 – four days after his contract expired at the Emirates. The offences relate to three women and are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 – with the Ghanaian to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5. The player denies the charges
Partey was first arrested in July 2022 but not named as he continued to play for Arteta's side, just as the club rose into a title-challenging force. The ex- Atletico Madrid player would go on to play in 33 games that season, continuing to be a regular after that.
A recent Arsenal statement read: 'The player's contract ended on 30 June. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.'
The timing of the charges has been the subject of intense scrutiny given it came less than a week after the player's Arsenal contract ended, but more than three years after the alleged offences.
It has put Arsenal in the spotlight and raised the question as to why the club did not suspend Partey. The club also recently held talks with the midfielder over a new contract, but Arteta maintains they acted appropriately.
He said: '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.' Pressed further on if he felt confident and comfortable that the club followed all the right processes Arteta added: '100 per cent.'
A statement from Partey's lawyer said: 'Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.'
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: "Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward."
Partey spent a total of five years at Arsenal having joined them from Atletico. Throughout that time he played 167 times and scored nine times.
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