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Forbes
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Has Arsenal's Summer Transfer Business Made It Title Favorites?
CARTAGENA, SPAIN - JULY 11: of Arsenal during a training session at La Manga Club on July 11, 2025 ... More in Cartagena, Spain. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) Arsenal FC via Getty Images Three successive second place finishes have been difficult for Arsenal to digest. Mikel Arteta's team has come as close as possible to winning the Premier League title without actually winning it and so the Gunners entered the summer transfer window with a clear objective - find new players capable of taking them over the line. Martin Zubimendi has arrived from Real Sociedad to be Arsenal's new anchor at the base of its midfield. The Spain international has been signed to be the Gunners' Rodri-like figure in the centre of the field with Zubimendi proven as one of the best midfield rhythm builders in European soccer at this moment in time. Viktor Gyokeres, forward of Sporting CP, celebrates with the mask at the end of the 'Taca de ... More Portugal' match between SL Benfica and Sporting CP at Estadio Nacional in Oeiras, Portugal, on May 25, 2025. (Photo by Valter Gouveia/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images Viktor Gyokeres is also reportedly on his way to the Emirates Stadium to be the number nine Arsenal has needed for years. The Swedish striker scored 68 goals in all competitions for Sporting CP last season and should theoretically give Arsenal a different dimension in the final third of the pitch. Gyokeres could be a good addition. Christian Norgaard has arrived from Brentford to provide more depth in midfield. The Danish international is technically comfortable and can play in a number of different roles in the centre of the pitch. Norgaard might not be a first team figure for his new team, but he will be a useful player to have over the course of the season. Arsenal supporters are less convinced by the prospect of Noni Madueke joining from Chelsea. Widespread reports claim the Gunners are close to signing the England international from their London rivals with Madueke an established performer at Premier League level. However, he plays in a position where Arsenal already boasts Bukayo Saka. KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Florian Wirtz is unveiled as a ... More Liverpool player after his signing at AXA Training Centre on June 20, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Liverpool FC via Getty Images It's been a busy summer transfer window in English soccer. Liverpool moved quickly to land Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez while Manchester City has added Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijani Reijnders to its squad before the start of the 2025 Club World Cup where Pep Guardiola's side lost in the last 16. Chelsea has signed Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro with Manchester United moving for Bryan Mbeumo and Tottenham Hotspur spending big on Mohamed Kudus. Morgan Gibbs-White is also expected to pitch up in North London to play for Thomas Frank following the departure of Ange Postecoglou. The competition at the top of the Premier League table next season will be stiffer than ever, but Arsenal has the foundation of the last three campaigns when it finished second only to Manchester City and Liverpool. Zubimendi, Gyokeres and Madueke would improve Arteta's team, but will this level of summer activity be enough to make them champions? The proof will be in the table.
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Why did Arsenal keep picking Thomas Partey? Mikel Arteta was all too happy to side with his man until hushed exit
Arsenal put out a little note on their website on June 4. It was the usual for that time of year, which meant thanking 20 players who were being released and a bit more on three whose situations were unresolved. Now, one of those in the latter cohort was a big hitter - Thomas Partey. But as his contract was almost up, Arsenal were leaving themselves some wiggle room: 'Discussions are ongoing, and once matters are finalised between all parties, we will communicate in due course.'
New York Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Arsenal's stance over Thomas Partey feels morally indefensible
This is an updated version of an article first published in July 2022. Three years ago, I wrote a column on the Premier League footballer we can now name as former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey being arrested on suspicion of rape. At that time, The Athletic could not name him. That has changed now he has been charged with five counts of rape and one of sexual assault, allegations which relate to three separate women who reported incidents which took place between 2021 and 2022 and which he denies. Advertisement Partey has been under investigation since February 2022 and was first arrested in July that same year. The piece I wrote, published in July 2022, detailed why I felt the (then unnamed) club's decision not to suspend him while he was being investigated over such serious allegations sent the wrong message to women. In the period since then he has been arrested, questioned by police and bailed seven times, all while he was helping Arsenal come desperately close to winning the Premier League title. He also played for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup. Last season he made a total of 52 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. Despite his contract at the club expiring on June 30, his image was still present on the official Arsenal website on Friday morning, only being removed later in the afternoon following the news that he had been charged. While the primary concern here is for the alleged victims, the optics of today's news could hardly be worse for Arsenal. Their decision to keep on playing him, coupled with the vocal support offered by manager Mikel Arteta — who described how happy he was for Partey after he scored the opening goal in Arsenal's 3-1 win over Tottenham in October 2022 ('for what he's been through and the injuries… I'm so happy for him, he deserves it') — already left them open to criticism. Now, that is compounded by the timing of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision to charge Partey just days after the expiry of his Arsenal contract. Whether the club knew this development was coming or not, they are now facing difficult questions over the way they have handled this situation. And the brief statement they issued last night — 'The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case' — does nothing to answer them. Advertisement Back in July 2022, the club issued a lengthier statement about their decision to keep playing Partey. It read: 'We've confirmed that the player denies the allegations and is on police bail… There have been no charges laid and the player can fulfil his professional commitments.' At the time, I was conflicted, weighing what appeared to be a reasonable legal position, particularly in light of the player's denials, against the severity of the allegations and the fact that sport occupies such a powerful place in society. There is a part of my brain that still tries to rationalise Arsenal's actions. Had they suspended him for all that time only for him to then be cleared — as may, of course, yet happen — would that have been fair, given the brevity of a professional footballer's career? Might they also have been concerned about the potential legal ramifications? Last year, former Manchester City player Benjamin Mendy won his claim against the club over unpaid wages while he was facing criminal charges following allegations of sex offences. He was subsequently cleared of all charges. But morally and emotionally, I find it difficult to accept how the club has approached this situation. Even if you make the argument for Arsenal being wary of the legal ramifications of suspending Partey, what then can be made of their apparent desire to extend his contract beyond this summer? In April this year, The Athletic reported that the club had entered talks with the midfielder about a new deal. Given the ongoing investigation and allegations against him, this raises yet more uncomfortable questions. Arsenal have long led the way in championing the women's game, and have traditionally been held up as a football club that 'does things the right way'. Yet for the past three years, they have acted in a manner that raises so many questions about the moral compass of the game and how it really views allegations of sexual assault towards women. Advertisement They have acted in a way that has left many fans feeling uncomfortable and conflicted as they supported their team through the highs and lows of the seasons. They have acted in a way that simply has not felt right. On the eve of the 2022 Women's European Championship, I spoke to UK TV presenter Gabby Logan about her relationship with the game and she said something that came to mind when I read Arsenal's initial statement three years ago. Logan said: 'Football reflects so many attitudes in society. Sometimes I think it reflects where we are as a civilisation in terms of attitudes and how important subjects like racism and homophobia are handled. If football treats it seriously, then it sends a really strong message.' What message does it send when a club basically says it's 'business as usual' after allegations of rape are made? Does it say they are treating them with the seriousness they deserve? Does it send a strong message to their players, staff and fans about how they feel such allegations should be acted upon? Female players and members of staff at the club — including, potentially, in the medical team — will undoubtedly have to be around and interact with the player in question, as will others who no doubt will all know about the claims against him. I ask myself how I would feel in their situation. The answer is potentially uncomfortable. The club's statement in 2022 said they take their 'commitments and responsibilities seriously', but their actions regarding the player we now can name as Partey suggested they did not treat the allegations made against him with the same level of seriousness. There have been other examples of clubs suspending players and members of staff after serious allegations. Mason Greenwood was suspended by Manchester United after being arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of attempted rape and assault, with charges subsequently being dropped. Another Premier League club suspended a player in 2021 after he was arrested on suspicion of committing child sex offences. That case was also dropped. Advertisement Those two players' club suspensions did not mean their employers were slapping a 'guilty' verdict on them, but it did mean they were being seen as treating the allegations with the respect that they deserved. That they understood the implications and potential impact on the alleged victims and those around the accused. That they recognised the message their reaction sends to wider society. It should also be noted that Arsenal are not alone in their decision not to suspend a player facing sex offence allegations. Yves Bissouma, then of Brighton and now of Tottenham, wasn't suspended when he was arrested under suspicion of sexual assault in Brighton in October 2021 (Bissouma was cleared of the allegation in June 2022). Nor was Mendy suspended after allegations of nine sexual offences against six women, until he was charged by police. These examples only serve to reinforce the flimsy message that football — and, specifically in the Partey case, Arsenal — have sent about its attitude towards allegations of rape and sexual assault. And they do little to quash the idea that the bar for players getting suspended is placed far too high. It's not hard to imagine what would happen to a member of a club's backroom staff if they were facing the same allegations. So, why is it different for a player? There's one answer that immediately springs to mind, and it's not one that should even be in the reckoning when it comes to such serious claims. Violence towards women and girls is happening in scary numbers. It's an issue that the UK government has promised to tackle, but it's also one that should force us to examine our own attitudes and actions when allegations are made, and the messages they are sending to those around us. And that includes football clubs.
The 42
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey charged for rape and sexual assault
THOMAS PARTEY, A former midfielder for Arsenal FC, has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, according to a statement from the UK Crown Prosecution Service. The high-profile case has sparked significant criticism of the Premier League club, who continued to field Partey for nearly three years despite being aware of an ongoing investigation. Partey, 32, was among Arsenal's highest-paid players and played a central role in the club's recent title challenges and their run to the Champions League semi-finals last season. This is a breaking news story – more to follow Advertisement Written by Andrew Walsh and posted on
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Premier League Star Charged With Rapes
London's Metropolitan Police on Friday announced charges of five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against former Arsenal FC player Thomas Partey following a two-and-a-half year investigation. The charges involve three women and allegedly took place between 2021 and 2022, according to the BBC. "Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward," Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who lead the investigation, said after announcing the charges. "We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@ Furphy said. Partey, 32, joined Arsenal in 2020 and left the club following the end of his contract this month as the club declined to renew him. The club paid Atletico Madrid £45.3m (just shy of $62 million) for the player. He also represents Ghana at the international level. This is a breaking news story. Updates will follow. Related Articles DraftKings Promo Code: Claim Holiday $150 Bonus For MLB, WNBA, SoccerHow to Watch Spain vs. Portugal: Live Stream Women's Euro 2025, TV ChannelHow to Buy Lionel Messi 2025 MLS All-Star Game JerseyHow to Watch Belgium vs. Italy: Live Stream Women's Euro 2025, TV Channel 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
