Thomas Partey to Leave Arsenal After Contract Ends

Thomas Partey will officially leave Arsenal when his contract expires on June 30, according to David Ornstein.

The 32-year-old midfielder had been in discussions over a potential extension, but the two parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms.

Partey joined the Gunners from Atlético Madrid in October 2020 for a reported £42.7 million and went on to make 167 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals across all competitions.

While Partey had a solid campaign last season and played a key role in Arsenal’s midfield, the decision to part ways is seen by many as a sensible one. Negotiations reportedly broke down over wage demands, and offering high salaries to players over 30—especially those with injury concerns—is often considered a risky move in long-term squad planning.

On the pitch, Partey contributed significantly with his passing range and ball progression from deep areas. With Jorginho used sparingly and Declan Rice playing a more dynamic, box-to-box role,

Partey remained Arsenal’s most reliable deep-lying passer. However, there were signs that his physical sharpness had declined, particularly in defensive transitions where opponents frequently bypassed him in midfield.

Partey’s departure marks the end of a four-year spell in North London. While his quality was evident, injuries and inconsistency at times limited his impact. As Arsenal reshape their squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, moving on from Partey allows the club to refresh its midfield with younger, more physically robust options better suited to Mikel Arteta’s long-term vision.