Thomas Partey Breaks Silence on Arsenal Exit: “What Arteta Told Me Changed Everything”Ghanaian midfielder opens up about shock summer departure as contract talks collapse and Arsenal prepare for a midfield reshuffle.

.Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has confirmed he will leave the club this summer, and he has now spoken out for the first time, revealing the behind-the-scenes conversation with manager Mikel Arteta that changed his mind about staying.

Initial negotiations between Arsenal and Partey were thought to be progressing well. However, talks unexpectedly broke down last week, prompting speculation about the reasons behind the sudden turn of events.

According to Partey, the collapse of talks wasn’t solely about money or contract length. Instead, a pivotal private meeting with Arteta left the Ghana international shocked and reconsidering his future at the club.“To be honest, I didn’t expect that from him,” Partey said, though he stopped short of revealing the exact details of what was said during the conversation with the Arsenal boss.

In a dramatic twist to what seemed like a standard contract expiration, Partey claims that the narrative in the English media has been misleading. “They’re making it look like I’m the problem for not signing the contract,” he said, “but no one is talking about what Arteta said to me in his office. That’s what really changed things.”The 31-year-old’s contract at Arsenal is set to expire this summer, and reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirm that Partey will not renew his deal, bringing an end to his four-year stay at the Emirates.

Partey joined Arsenal in October 2020 after the club triggered his £45 million release clause from Atletico Madrid. He was hailed as a marquee signing and quickly became a key part of Arteta’s midfield setup.

In his debut season, Partey made 33 appearances across all competitions, showing promise as a powerful presence in midfield. However, his time at the club has been consistently marred by injuries.

The 2022/23 season was arguably his best, as he managed to stay largely fit and featured prominently in Arsenal’s title challenge, contributing three goals in 40 appearances.

The following campaign saw his struggles return, with a long-term hamstring injury limiting him to just 16 appearances. Despite that, Arsenal continued to trust in his abilities heading into the 2024/25 season.

Ironically, his final season with the Gunners turned out to be his most successful. Partey played 52 games in all competitions, scoring four goals and registering three assists. His performances helped Arsenal to a second-place league finish and a Champions League semi-final appearance.

Despite his impact, Arsenal seem to have accepted that the time is right to move on. Partey’s age, injury record, and the lack of a transfer fee may have contributed to the decision to part ways.

Arsenal are reportedly closing in on signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad as a direct replacement. The Spanish midfielder is expected to bring technical stability and fresh energy to the center of the pitch.In addition to Zubimendi, the club is in talks with Brentford over Christian Norgaard.

The Danish international could provide depth and defensive cover in midfield, reinforcing Arsenal’s spine for the upcoming season.

As Partey prepares for a new chapter, speculation will likely continue over the details of his conversation with Arteta. For now, the midfielder departs with 141 appearances, a strong legacy, and a lingering mystery about what truly led to his departure from north London.