Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reacted to the comments of midfielder Thomas Partey’s assertion of being happy at Arsenal despite speculations linking him away from the club.
With a year left on his contract by the end of the ongoing season, Partey, 30, who has struggled almost throughout the season due to injury was confident in his future at Arsenal upon his return to the starting line-up on Wednesday against Luton.
Speaking to football.london following the match, he affirmed his view of Arsenal as his current future and expressed optimism about his tenure in North London.
“My head is always here,” he said.
“This is where I choose to play, I’m really happy every time I’m on the field. I know a lot of speculations have been going on, but for me, I’m really happy to be here and to continue playing for this club.”
Regarding his contract situation, with one year remaining at the end of the season, Partey acknowledged the need to perform at his best and remain available for selection. He commented, “I still have to the end of the season, I think. I have to do my best and try to perform at the highest level and I think the most important is to be available every time.”
Reacting to Partey’s comments, Arteta expressed satisfaction with the midfielder’s willingness to fight for the badge emphasising the team’s ambition to fight for ‘big things’.
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“He’d better have his head here, because we are playing for big things. That’s what we expect. We need him. He’s a top player and important for us, you could see the other day on the pitch the impact that he can have for us,” Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Brighton this weekend.”
“He’s our player, he’s got one more year’s contract and I’m really happy with him,” he added.
Mikel Arteta says he's happy with Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian midfielder made his first start since August in the 2-0 win over Luton Town.#3SportsGH pic.twitter.com/sSGWRZoFp6
— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) April 5, 2024
Arsenal are poised to make amends for their failure to clinch the Premier League last season and are hoping to end the season a high with Liverpool and Manchester City still in contention for the title.