The Thomas Partey deal is running out of time, and though the Ghanaian midfielder himself is said to be keen on remaining at the club, the Gunners fans are preparing for something else. With the end of the season approaching, the future of Partey has raised eyebrows, raised questions, and inspired guarded hopes among the Emirates faithful.
Partey has come into form at the opportune moment, becoming a crucial player in Arsenal’s charge for the second half of the season. Yet with his contract running out next month, and no official deal announced, the scenario has a familiar ring to it. Partey is said to be happy to turn down lucrative offers elsewhere to stay in North London, fans are aware better than to accept such wishful thinking at face value.
🚨| BREAKING: Thomas Partey's side have received signs that Arsenal could be preparing to open extended negotiations with the midfielder in the next few weeks according to Charles Watts.
🔸Partey is now happy at Arsenal and wants to settle with family life in London. So he wants… pic.twitter.com/SCaENRDyMS
— Mex (Fan) (@Afcmex_) April 23, 2025
Zubimendi Signing Fuels Exit Rumours of Thomas Partey
The Thomas Partey contract negotiations cannot be divorced from Arsenal’s recent transfer activity — foremost, the expected signing of Martin Zubimendi. The Real Sociedad midfielder is strongly tipped for a summer transfer to the Emirates, with sources confirming that a deal is already agreed.
Zubimendi’s record is eerily close to Partey’s. Both are built on the ball, defensively organized, and at ease controlling the rhythm from deep midfield. Many fans see Zubimendi as less of a reinforcement and more of a replacement. It has been tricky for supporters to accept that Partey will be kept long-term even if his condition warrants it.
Whereas some reports suggest that Zubimendi is a more direct replacement for Jorginho, the fans are not so sure. Mikel Arteta has a history of defying expectations, and attempting to analyze too much from positional overlaps tends to lead to nowhere. Nevertheless, the timing of the Zubimendi transfer begs questions.
🚨 Martin Zubimendi wants to give his best to Real Sociedad until the end of the season, 100% focused on the team as top professional as always.
Arsenal will complete formal steps of the deal in the next weeks as Zubimendi will be the first signing for 2025/26. ✅ pic.twitter.com/gFBDAjlOdv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2025
Familiar Fears Among the Fanbase
The Thomas Partey contract conundrum is causing a déjà vu moment for Arsenal supporters. The club’s recent past with contracts running down has been far from rosy. Whether it was letting top-performers depart for free or taking too long to act, these have never turned out well.
All that history has bred suspicion in the fanbase. Even with Partey’s seeming eagerness to stay and reported talks, not having a confirmed extension creates a sense of foreboding. Fans are aware that if Arsenal really wanted Partey’s service, the agreement would have been signed some time ago — particularly since he recently rediscovered his form.
In addition, with the club set to have a squad rebuild this summer, there is increasingly a sense that financial expediency might be prioritized over sentiment. Partey’s sale or release on a free would release wages and make space for younger blood. Whether or not that is the most astute footballing move is debatable.
Can Arteta Make It Work?
The chance that both Partey and Zubimendi might feature in the same team is not wholly out of the question. Arteta has frequently juggled his midfield to accommodate tactical demands. Also, with European football coming into play next term, depth will be all-important.
If Jorginho does leave, that creates room for Zubimendi without necessarily pushing Partey out. But for that vision to materialize, the Thomas Partey contract must be sorted out — and urgently so. The longer talks continue, the more unlikely it is that the Ghanaian remains.
As the season approaches its end, the Thomas Partey contract situation remains unresolved. For the Arsenal fans, that says it all. While there’s hope that he will sign a new deal, recent signings and past experiences point in another direction.
Partey’s form, experience, and leadership should make him a priority. But in football, logic doesn’t always dictate outcomes.
Do you think Partey can remain or leave? Let us know in the comments below!
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