Should Partey’s contract be extended if he stays fit for the majority of this campaign?
As of writing this article, it is exactly four years on from the deadline day signing of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, in early October of 2020 we triggered the Ghanaian’s release clause after a long search for a midfielder throughout that transfer window. I vividly remember waking up every two hours all night on the day of the deadline eagerly anticipating the announcement of the deal.
Such was how excited not just me but the majority of gooners were at the time considering the caliber of player we were about to bring to the club. We were all expecting him to play a significant role in getting us back to the top at the time of his signing, but four years on and though he has played a role in our resurgence, you can’t deem it as significant.
This is probably due to the fact that he has missed significant parts of the last few campaigns with niggling injuries that has seen his levels drop a bit as well, he is still a very good player mind you and he has shown that in this campaign with some really tidy displays in the middle of the park, with his best performance this season arguably being the home game against PSG recently. He has also proven his versatility and took to playing right back very well against Southampton.
His contract is set to expire after this season and given the fact that he has remained fit and consistently starting for us this season it should beg the question, should Arsenal extend the player’s contract?
Most gooners like me would absolutely love to see him put pen to paper on a new contract. On his day he is often unplayable at times, pushing the team forward with central progression from either dribbling up the pitch, or producing line breaking passes into the forwards in dangerous positions, while also breaking up play and perfectly shielding the backline in his defensive duties.
From the other side of the argument, I understand the fears of his age and decline over the years. Furthermore I perfectly understand that we should be a team that’s constantly looking to improve whatever slight weakness that we have, given that it will be an advantage for us in trying to win major silverware consistently.
Then again, Partey should be kept beyond this season due to how his experience might also prove invaluable to a relatively young side, like Jorginho is doing right now.
Whether he gets a contract extension is all down to the club and I will be perfectly fine with whatever decision they make regarding that, but let me know gooners, does Partey deserve a contract extension if he stays fit for most of this campaign?
KENNETH BENJAMIN.
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Hes been good when fit but at 32 years old next summer and on +200k a week contract, I can safely say we can move on from him. Also most likely I can see him going to Saudis for mega contract.
If he doesn’t get injured till the end of this season, offer him a one-year contract extension
But some clubs in Saudi Arabia, England or Europe would likely offer him a better contract in January
Class is permanent
Will Arsenal offer him an extension? If they do, it will be only one year unless the club breaks its own rule about players over 30. I think he’ll leave in the summer though.
“He’s a key player for us, he’s a massive player for us and we can see that week in, week out. The way he came back post-holidays was probably the best condition that he’s been. Now it’s about managing him.” These are the words of Arteta.
I don’t think Partey has ever started this many games in a row to start the season. Maybe whatever has been bothering him over the years was finally fixed. If that is the case then a contract extension would be a no brainer. I was one of those who was opposed to an extension for him but I have since changed my mind for various reasons.
Totally agree with you Onyango, but I’ve always thought he should be given a yearly rolling contract.
The first season we challenged Man City for the league he played practically every match – he was fit 95% of the whole season
On his day, Partey is a masterclass. This season he has been consistent so far and contributed immensely to our games. I think he deserves contract extension of up to two years believing he will be injury free.
When assessing whether or not to extend hiscontract,,apart from his injury problems,we have to consider the likelihood of Jorjinho leaving at the end of the season, in which case our central/defensive midfield area would be rather threadbare.If Rice was injured, God forbid,we would be in big trouble.Basically, if Jorjinho is going, Partey should stay.Although he had little to do defensively against Southampton, he was impressive in his quasi RB role and linked up well with Saka and others.On the other side of the coin, if the Saudi’s were prepared to offer us £35m for the thirty two year old, I suspect we would take the money.
He has had a good start to the season, a one year extension is okay injuries permitting. As most people are saying if a crazy offer comes in , I don’t think we refuse.