Midfielder powerhouse ‘has to be at Arsenal’ this summer – Artetat told

Kieran Gibbs has told Mikel Arteta’s ARSENAL that they have to keep hold of Thomas Partey this summer.

Thomas Partey was a massive part of that Arsenal squad last season and did impress at times for Mikel Arteta – but towards the end of the season he fell off the boil and did not impress many people.

That prompted Mikel Arteta to delve into that transfer kitty this summer and add Declan Rice to the squad – with the former West Ham midfielder expected to walk straight into the squad at the Emirates and be a regular starter.

That has led to constant speculation in the media that Partey is a man that Arsenal are open to selling – and a move to Saudi Arabia or Seria A has been mentioned – with a few clubs interested in a potential deal.

However – amid all the speculation and rumours – Gibbs has opened up and claimed told both Arteta and Arsenal that Partey is a player that the club should keep hold of this summer window.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID –

“I wouldn’t like to see that,” said Gibbs. “I think he has to stay. He was just so good last season. I know he had a little bit of a wobble towards the end.

“For me, especially with the added competition with the Champions League, you just need bodies and I just feel like he brings that security to the team.

“I like Rice. I love Havertz and Odegaard. You just need a thick squad to get through that big season and I wouldn’t like to see him go.”

WILL PARTEY STAY OR GO?

At the end of the day – if Partey is happy sitting on the bench and biding his time for game minutes – then staying at ARSENAL may be the best thing for him as he is on a big time wage.

However – if he wants to play every week and enjoy his football – then moving onto another club is the best option – he is not getting any younger.

It seems that Mikel Arteta has a plan for all his squad players – it is just a case of whether or not players like Partey are happy sitting on the bench.

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