Mikel Arteta sheds light on potential Thomas Partey contract extension

Thomas Partey is performing like a man with something to prove. The midfielder-cum-lockdown right-back is enjoying an impressive run in this Arsenal team as he aims to earn a contract extension in north London.

The Ghanaian's current deal, the one he signed upon his arrival at the club, expires at the end of the season, and an injury-plagued couple of years cast plenty of doubt over this future entering 2024/25.

While undeniably brilliant on his day, Partey's persistent unavailability often rendered him useless to Mikel Arteta's project and many had washed their hands with the 31-year-old following another injury-hit 2023/24 campaign.

However, Partey has re-emerged as an integral part of Arteta's side this term, starting every single Premier League and Champions League game.

Mikel Arteta sheds light on potential Thomas Partey contract extension

Partey's performance levels two months into the season, particularly as of late, have seen plenty shift their opinion on whether the club should extend his current contract. At 31, the midfielder is unlikely to garner a long-term deal, but a short-term contract - no more than two or three years - offer should soon arrive at Partey's table.

There were reports last month regarding the club's willingness to open talks with the player's entourage, and Arteta recently shed light on potential discussions with Partey over a new deal: “He’s only 31 and he’s in a really good place and yes, we’ll have discussions," the boss said ahead of Saturday's trip to Newcastle.

The Ghanaian's uptick this season has been aided by Martin Odegaard's absence, and it'll be interesting to see the midfield configuration Arteta opts for when the skipper soon returns from an ankle injury. Summer arrival Mikel Merino has settled in nicely, and we typically see the best out of Declan Rice in a number six position.

Still, Arteta is happy with Arsenal's #5 and his importance is unlikely to wane too much once Odegaard comes back.

“The one thing that we needed was Thomas to be at the level we wanted certainly. He’s working so hard to do what he’s doing at the moment," the Spaniard added.

“I think he’s playing really well in different positions with different demands and he’s coping with it in a great way. He’s a big player for us.”

With Arteta reasserting the player's importance and members of Europe's elite reportedly circling ahead of a potential free transfer next summer, Arsenal would be wise to wrap this one up swiftly if Partey is a player they want to retain. However, I'd be hesitant to offer the midfielder a lucrative extension as a result of his age and injury history.

I'd also like to hope we haven't seen a different gear from Partey at the start of 2024/25 purely because he's entered a 'contract year'. But hey, don't listen to the cynic in me.

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