Mikel Arteta has expressed his want to maintain Thomas Partey on the membership, describing the Arsenal star as ‘a high participant’.
Partey, who has simply over a yr left on his contract, was handed his first begin since August 2023 in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Luton Town on Wednesday.
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However the midfielder has struggled with accidents this season and has consequently struggled to rack up the minutes for the Gunners.
Most lately, a hamstring harm saved him out of the squad for a run of 19 video games.
Along with his contract on account of expire on the finish of subsequent season, there was hypothesis that the Ghanaian might quickly be flying the Arsenal nest.
Requested if Partey was somebody he want to maintain on the membership within the long-term future, Arteta delivering a jovial response.
Arteta stated: “He higher have his head right here as a result of we’re taking part in for giant issues and that’s what we anticipate!”
On a extra severe be aware, he continued: “We want him as a result of he’s a high participant, an important participant for us and you’ll see on the pitch as effectively what sort of influence he can have for us.
“He’s our participant, he’s received another yr’s contract and I’m actually pleased with him.”
Nonetheless, talking after the win over the Hatters, Partey insisted that his dedication to the Gunners was real.
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He stated: “My head is all the time right here. That is the place I select to play, I’m actually completely satisfied each time I’m on the sphere.
“I do know loads of hypothesis has been occurring, however for me, I’m actually completely satisfied to be right here and to proceed taking part in for this membership. With my contract, I nonetheless need to the top of the season, I believe.
“I’ve to do my finest and attempt to carry out on the highest stage and I believe an important is to be out there each time.”
Arsenal are two factors behind leaders Liverpool within the Premier League desk and one level forward of final yr’s winners Manchester Metropolis.
They subsequent face a League journey to Brighton on Saturday 6 April earlier than they bid to proceed their Champions League marketing campaign of their quarter-final first leg towards Bayern Munich, stay on talkSPORT on Tuesday 9 April.
