Mikel Arteta signals intent to keep Thomas Partey as contract talks advance

Mikel Arteta has indicated that Arsenal are open to extending Thomas Partey's contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season. The Ghanaian midfielder, who will turn 32 in June, has shown a resurgence in form after a period plagued by injuries. Despite previous links to Saudi Arabia and reports of Atlético Madrid's interest in re-signing him, Arteta's recent comments suggest a desire to retain Partey.​
When asked about progress in contract discussions, Arteta stated:​
"Yes, there is progress with all the players. I'll leave that to [sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to decide and to talk about."​

Pressed further on the intention to keep Partey, he added:​
"The intention is very clear. I'll leave that to Andrea and the club to take a step forward."​

Partey's recent performances have been instrumental in Arsenal's success, including their impressive 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid, propelling them to the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2009. However, a yellow card in the match means he will be suspended for the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.​

Arteta remained cautious about the team's approach in Partey's absence:​
"We have a few options and we're not going to give anything away. It was a night for the club that was great and that's it. The best ones are still ahead and to come. We all have a big ambition and big objectives and we are in the right direction. But the next steps are going to be tough and we're going to have to be at our best."​

Looking ahead, Arsenal faces Ipswich on Sunday, a match that could have significant implications for both teams. A defeat for Arsenal could hand Liverpool the Premier League title, while Ipswich faces the threat of relegation. The Gunners will be without Jorginho (rib injury) and Riccardo Calafiori (knee injury), though Calafiori might return in time for the clash against PSG on April 29.​

Thomas Partey's Arsenal Career Statistics

Below is a summary of Thomas Partey's contributions since joining Arsenal:​