Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has announced his desire to stay at the Emirates amid talk of a possible exit.
The former Atletico Madrid man was a standout player for the Gunners in the 2022-23 season, as his partnership with Granit Xhaka was a cornerstone of Arsenal's pursuit of title glory.
However, Partey's time at the Emirates has otherwise been marred by a series of injuries, and he has made just nine appearances for Mikel Arteta's team in all tournaments during the current campaign.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined with severe hamstring and groin issues in the current campaign, missing the Africa Cup of Nations and only earning four Premier League starts, three of which peculiarly came at right-back in the early phase of the season.
For the first time since August 26, though, Partey was named in the first XI for a top-flight game on Wednesday evening, completing 67 minutes of the Gunners' 2-0 triumph over Luton Town to help Arteta's men return to the top of the table.
Partey "really happy" to play for Arsenal
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The Ghana international put in a strong shift against the Hatters, but he is due to enter the last 12 months of his Arsenal deal this summer and has been linked with an exit to Saudi Arabia since last summer.
Partey ultimately remained in North London last year amid talk of a switch to the Middle East, but it has been claimed that the Gunners will now consider summer bids due to his repeated failures to avoid injuries.
Without a contract extension, Arsenal could lose Partey for free in 2025 - five years on from paying £42.9m to bring him to the club from Atletico - but the midfielder has not given any thought to ending his association with the Gunners.
"My head is always here. This is where I choose to play, I'm really happy every time I'm on the field. I know a lot of speculations have been going on, but for me, I'm really happy to be here and to continue playing for this club," Partey told football.london.
"Well, I still have to the end of the season, I think. I have to do my best and try to perform at the highest level and I think the most important is to be available every time."
Should Arsenal be looking to keep Partey this summer?
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Most avid Gooners fondly remember the deadline day bedlam of 2020, when it emerged that Arsenal had made a last-gasp approach to bring Partey to the Emirates and succeeded in doing so, having already squared up to the Ghanaian in the Europa League.
However, it did not take long for Arsenal fans to begin cursing their luck, as the man who was seldom injured during his time in Spain regularly found himself in the Emirates infirmary, leaving the Gunners without a true enforcer in the middle of the park.
The 30-year-old complemented Xhaka perfectly in the 2022-23 season, though, and even a couple of his famed long shots found the mark, so there is no question that he will be integral to Arsenal's chances of title stardom if he can remain fully fit between now and June.
Partey is only two months away from turning 31, though, and an extension beyond 2025 is still seen as unlikely, whereas the Gunners are believed to be actively trying to get Jorginho to lengthen his terms.
With the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi being targeted for a marquee summer move, Partey's wish to continue in Arsenal red for 2024-25 may go unfulfilled.
Ben Knapton
