Mikel Arteta gives update on Thomas Partey Arsenal future

Mikel Arteta insists Thomas Partey remains a ‘super important’ player for Arsenal and expects him to remain at the north London club this season.

The Ghana international was hugely influential last term and played a key role in the Gunners’ title challenge.

While Partey’s ability has never been in question, his durability has often cost him and Arsenal dear when they have needed him most.

In each of the last two campaigns his form and fitness has deteriorated during the run-ins which has led to speculation that Arsenal could look to cash in on a player who has two years left on his current contract.

Several Saudi Pro League clubs have registered an interest, while Juventus are understood to be Partey’s preferred destination should Arsenal sanction his departure.

Arteta, however, is adamant he has no plans to part with the experienced midfielder, despite spending a club-record fee to sign Declan Rice.

‘Thomas Partey is a super important player for us and for me and we want him to be in the team, that’s for sure,’ said Arteta ahead of tonight’s friendly against Manchester United.

Asked if Partey and Rice could feature in the same starting XI this season, he added: ‘Yeah, they can play together and that was in my plans.

‘If you want to improve the squad and have more quality, we need players that can play together, but we need players in the same position that have to fight for their places.

‘It’s something that we haven’t had over the last few years and we wanted to improve that, and that’s why we brought Declan as well.’