Arsenal Responds After Ex-Midfielder Thomas Partey Charged With Multiple Counts of Rape and Sexual Assault

Thirty-two-year-old Partey is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022

Arsenal Football Club has issued a brief statement following the news that former midfielder Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The charges, confirmed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), come just days after Partey's contract with the club officially expired on June 30.

In response to the allegations, Arsenal stated: “The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.”

Partey, 32, a Ghana international who spent five years at the Emirates Stadium after his £45 million transfer from Atlético Madrid in 2020, is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022. The charges follow a three-year investigation led by Scotland Yard.

The CPS confirmed that two counts of rape relate to one woman, three additional counts of rape to a second woman, and the sexual assault charge to a third. Due to legal protections, the identities of the alleged victims have not been disclosed.

Partey, who denies all allegations, is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. In a statement issued through his lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire of Hickman and Rose, Partey said he “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name” and has “fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their investigation.”

The Metropolitan Police revealed that the investigation began in February 2022, and Partey was first arrested in July 2022. Despite the arrest, he was not named publicly at the time and continued playing for Arsenal while under investigation. Records show he made over 50 appearances for the club during the course of the police inquiry.

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was charged on Friday with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, emphasized the importance of supporting the women who came forward. “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward. We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team,” he said.

Partey's departure from Arsenal came as talks over a contract extension reportedly stalled. He has been training in Ghana while searching for a new club and recently won the Ghana Footballer of the Year award.

During his tenure with the Gunners, Partey made 167 appearances, scored nine goals, and played a key role in helping Arsenal win the Community Shield in 2023. Although hampered by injuries, he was a consistent presence in Mikel Arteta’s squad last season, contributing to their Premier League title challenge and Champions League semi-final run.

In a recent interview about his future, Partey stated that his next move would be heavily influenced by his family's well-being. “I think the first thing is where are you happy and where do you feel at home… there are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy,” he said.

With legal proceedings now active, further public comments from either Partey or Arsenal are unlikely before the court date in August.