“Super Important “ Thomas Partey Is Going Nowhere – Mikel Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is adamant that midfielder Thomas Partey will not be leaving the club this summer, despite the arrival of Declan Rice.

The Ghanaian’s name has featured a lot in the gossip columns since the transfer window opened.

As he has been linked with Juventus and is believed to be the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli.

Talk of an exit has only grown louder since The Gunners parted with £105 million to sign Declan Rice from West Ham.

Mikel Arteta said he wants the midfielder to stay.

“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.

Mikel was asked if Rice and Partey would fit into the same team,

he responded claiming both of them can play together.

“They can play together and that was in my plans.

We need players in the same positions who have to fight for their placed and that’s something we haven’t had over the last few years.

We want to improve that and that’s why we brought in Declan as well”.

However, Arsenal head coach Arteta says Partey is happy in north London,

and believes he can play alongside fellow defensive midfielder Rice.

“Everytime i spoke to him and everytime I have conversation with him,

his will is to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there at all” he said in a press conference.

“It’s going to be harder next season as the level is going to go up and the teams are getting better and the league is getting stronger”.

The Gunners lost their match between Manchester city with a straight home win.

“I think what happened last season was probably necessary to learn the lessons that you have learn to get better

and be be successful and achieve what we want to achieve”.