Arsenal
Premier League • England
Exclusive: Arsenal urged to avoid ‘big risk’ by keeping senior star, as two potential suitors named
Arsenal should keep Thomas Partey this summer as they are already letting enough experience in the midfield go by selling Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, according to Charles Watts.
Partey has been tipped to end his three-year association with Arsenal as he is rumoured to be on the radar of Saudi Arabian clubs. His place in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup is under threat after Arsenal agreed a £105million deal to sign Declan Rice, with Southampton star Romeo Lavia next on their wanted list.
Arsenal have made space for Rice in the squad by offloading Xhaka to Leverkusen for £21.5m and Partey could be next.
But Watts thinks it would be a mistake if the Ghanaian was allowed to leave, with Arteta needing as much squad strength as possible to beat Manchester City in the Premier League title race next season.
“They are definitely open to potentially listening to offers for Thomas Partey but I don’t think it’s got any further than that at the moment,” Watts told TEAMtalk. “I don’t think they are actively pushing him out the door. But should a decent offer arrive for a player who has had consistent injury issues and has only got two years left on his deal when he’s now in his 30s, they’re not going to stand in his way.
“Personally, I’d be keeping him. You’re basically losing Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the same summer, that’s two of your starting three midfielders from last year that nearly won the title.
“So it’s a huge risk; you’re basically changing the engine room in that midfield. Even if you replace Thomas Partey with a younger player like Lavia, when you’re going into a Champions League campaign and you’re trying to beat Manchester City to the title, I think it’s a risk. So I’d be keeping him.
“If you’ve got Thomas Partey and Declan Rice vying it out for the number six position in the squad, you’re in a very, very strong position. Partey had a poor end to the season last year. But for two thirds of the season he was absolutely brilliant. Before that final international break, he was so good and was a huge part of Arsenal’s success. He was one of the first names on the team sheet but he had a poor end to the season.”
Watts then explained why Partey’s form may have dropped off. “I’m sure he was injured, although everyone said he wasn’t,” the Arsenal insider added. “But he went away for the last international break with Ghana, Arsenal sent a physio with him. He missed the second game because of an injury, came back and he just wasn’t the same player, his legs looked like he couldn’t run.
“Maybe fitness issues have caught up with him and Arsenal are looking at that and thinking well, if we can get some good money in for him now, then we should take that opportunity because next year he’s not going to be worth much money at all really.”
Thomas Partey wanted in Saudi Arabia and Italy
Watts went on to reveal that it is not just Saudi clubs are who are interested in Partey, as Juventus are also ‘keeping tabs’ on the situation. The former Atletico Madrid man wants to discuss his future with Arsenal as he is aware of all the reports surrounding his future.
“I don’t think they are actively pushing him out the door,” Watts continued. “And from my understanding he’s due back this week. And he wants talks with Arsenal, just for clarity, basically because he’s seen all the speculation.
“There have been reports he’s asked Arsenal to leave and I’ve been told that’s just absolutely not the case. He is quite happy to stay.
“The whole reason he signed for Arsenal was to try and get back to the Champions League. Now that they’re there he really wants to play in the Champions League for Arsenal, but he wants clarity on his future because he’s seen stories, seen the speculation and he wants to know what the plan is for him this summer.
“That’s what he’s going to be seeking which is understandable.
“Juventus are definitely monitoring him, I’m told. It’s not a hot situation at the moment. They’re not actually banging the door down, but they’re definitely keeping tabs on it. And there’s definitely clubs in Saudi Arabia who are sniffing around as well.”