Arsenal confirms Thomas Partey is no longer with the club following rape and assault charges.
The midfielder’s contract ended in June, distancing the club from the ongoing legal case.
Arsenal Football Club has issued an official statement addressing the serious criminal charges brought against former midfielder Thomas Partey, who was on Friday, July 5, charged with multiple counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The Premier League side confirmed that Partey is no longer affiliated with the club, as his contract expired at the end of June 2025, making him a free agent at the time of the charges.
In its statement, Arsenal emphasised that the Ghanaian international is no longer their player, underscoring that the club holds no legal or contractual ties with him as of the date the alleged offences became public. This clarification appears to be a deliberate attempt to limit any reputational damage and reinforce that Partey is now acting in a personal capacity.
“Thomas Partey’s contract with the club concluded at the end of June 2025. As such, he is no longer associated with Arsenal Football Club,” the club noted. “We will not be making any further comment on legal proceedings involving a former player.”
According to UK legal authorities, Partey, 32, was formally charged with three separate counts of rape and one count of sexual assault following a lengthy investigation. The charges reportedly relate to incidents involving more than one individual and are said to have occurred while he was still under contract with Arsenal.
His legal team has yet to release a detailed public response, though media reports indicate that the former Atlético Madrid star plans to contest the allegations in court.
Partey joined Arsenal in October 2020 from Atlético Madrid in a high-profile £45 million move and was widely seen as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s midfield rebuild. However, his tenure at the Emirates was marred by frequent injuries and now ends under a cloud of legal uncertainty.
This incident adds to growing scrutiny around how football clubs and institutions respond to criminal allegations involving current or former players. While Arsenal has taken a clear stance by highlighting the expiration of Partey’s contract, observers are closely watching how the broader football community responds to such serious charges.
The case has triggered a wave of reaction on social media, with fans, advocacy groups, and commentators demanding transparency and accountability. While some have praised the club’s swift clarification, others argue that elite football institutions must adopt more proactive measures when faced with off-pitch controversies.
As legal proceedings begin, the football world awaits further developments. For now, Partey’s once-promising career lies in jeopardy, overshadowed by serious allegations that could have lasting consequences for both his personal life and professional legacy.
