Arteta Confident Arsenal Handled Partey Case Properly By Alex Howell, BBC Sport, Singapore
Arteta says club acted appropriately as former midfielder faces multiple rape and sexual assault charges
- Arteta says he is "100%" confident the club acted appropriately in handling the situation involving former midfielder Thomas Partey
- Two rape charges relate to one woman, three to a second, and the sexual assault charge to a third.
- Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 5 August.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he is “100%” confident the club acted appropriately in handling the situation involving former midfielder Thomas Partey, who is now facing multiple rape charges.
Partey, 32, left Arsenal when his contract expired on 30 June. Just four days later, he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. According to a Metropolitan Police statement on 4 July, the alleged offences took place in 2021 and 2022 and involve three women. Two rape charges relate to one woman, three to a second, and the sexual assault charge to a third.
Partey denies all charges and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name,” his lawyer has stated.
Police launched their investigation in February 2022 after receiving an initial report of rape.
Arsenal are currently on a pre-season tour in Singapore, where they face AC Milan and Newcastle before traveling to Hong Kong for a match against Tottenham. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against Milan, Arteta addressed questions about the club’s handling of the case.
“The club was very clear in its statement,” Arteta said. “There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated, so I cannot comment on any of that.”
When asked whether he felt confident the club had followed the correct procedures, Arteta replied: “100%, yes.”
Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August.
He joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid for £45 million in October 2020. Last season, he made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals, and featured 12 times in the Champions League, helping Arsenal reach the semi-finals before being eliminated by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
