Mikel Arteta has stated he is "100 percent" confident that Arsenal followed the correct procedures in handling matters related to Thomas Partey, who has now been charged with serious sexual offences following his departure from the club.
Partey's contract with Arsenal officially expired on 30 June, and the club has declined to comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Monday defended the club's handling of Thomas Partey's departure after the Ghana international midfielder was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault
In a previous statement issued to The Athletic, the Gunners confirmed the end of the player's contract while citing legal constraints that prevent public comment on the charges.
Arsenal did not offer the 32-year-old a new contract at the end of last season, and days later, he was charged by British police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022.
When asked whether the legal situation had influenced the decision not to offer Partey a new deal, Arteta declined to elaborate, saying: "The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of very complicated legal matters, so I cannot comment on any of that."
Pressed on whether he was personally comfortable and confident that the club had acted properly throughout the process, the Arsenal manager responded unequivocally: "100 percent, yes."