Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has broken his silence following the recent criminal charges filed against former midfielder Thomas Partey, insisting the club “100 per cent” followed the appropriate procedures during the course of the investigation.
Partey, 31, was charged earlier this month with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, involving three women, following a three-year investigation by the Metropolitan Police. The alleged incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022.
The charges were formally brought just five days after Partey’s Arsenal contract expired on 30 June, ending his five-year spell at the Emirates.
When asked during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Asia whether the club acted correctly amid criticism over its handling of the matter, Arteta said:
“The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated, so I cannot comment further.”
Pressed again on Arsenal’s internal handling, he responded: “100 per cent.”
According to reports, concerns about Partey were raised as early as September 2021, but no formal investigation was launched by the FA or the Premier League due to jurisdiction limitations around safeguarding adults not classified as “at risk.”
Partey’s legal team has said he “denies all the charges” and “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.” The Crown Prosecution Service stated the charges were filed after “carefully reviewing a comprehensive file of evidence.”
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August.
