Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has finally broken his silence following rape charges filed against former club midfielder Thomas Partey, who is currentl
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has finally broken his silence following rape charges filed against former club midfielder Thomas Partey, who is currently facing legal proceedings in the United Kingdom.
The Spaniard, who oversaw Partey’s tenure at the London club, addressed the situation during a media briefing on Friday, defending the club’s handling of the case during the period the player was under police investigation.
The Ghanaian international, whose contract with Arsenal ended in June 2025, was officially charged with rape earlier this month.
The charges come after a lengthy police investigation that began in 2022, when allegations against Partey first surfaced.
Despite the investigation, Partey remained an active player for Arsenal throughout the probe, as no formal charges were filed until after his departure from the club.
At the press conference, Arteta maintained that Arsenal acted within the bounds of legal and ethical responsibility, stating unequivocally that the club followed the right protocols.
“I think the club was clear in the statement, and there are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated. I cannot comment about that,” he said when initially asked.
Pressed further on whether the club did everything correctly during the ongoing investigation, Arteta firmly responded: “100%.”
The club’s continued use of Partey during the investigation drew significant public attention and criticism at the time.
Many questioned whether it was appropriate for the midfielder to remain on the pitch amid such serious allegations.
However, Arsenal’s legal advisors reportedly guided the club’s decision-making, given that no charges had yet been laid by either the Metropolitan Police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
The situation escalated in July 2025, when the CPS confirmed that Thomas Partey is now facing formal rape charges and will stand trial in the coming weeks.
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a deal worth £45 million, had a career that was frequently hampered by injuries but still managed to be a key part of the team’s midfield under Arteta.
His legal woes have cast a shadow over his final years at the club and raised broader concerns about how football institutions handle players under investigation for serious crimes.
Arsenal has so far issued limited public commentary on the matter, citing legal sensitivities.
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