The clock is ticking, and the hourglass is near it’s end. Come next month, one of the veterans in Mikel Arteta’s side Thomas Partey will be able to take offers from other clubs. The Gunners are yet to offer the Ghana international a contract deal, as his current one runs until June 2025. Partey was one of the major signings early in Arteta’s Arsenal tenure as he arrived at the club from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. The Ghana international has gone on to make 133 appearances for Arsenal so far, though his stint has been repeatedly punctuated by injuries. And his age (31) is also a factor which must be counted in. The departing sporting director Edu would almost certainly let the Ghana midfielder go, since he always counts in the player’s age and his ernings to keep the squad as balanced as possible, but so far, it’s not known if the Brazilian, who is set to join Nottingham Forest owner’s group will be involved in the decision at all.UCL: Ruthless Arsenal silence Amorim’s old templeThis season, Arteta had problems with injuries and Partey was always on hand, either as the midfilder, or as an emergency right-back and he did all his roles well. But now, when all midifielders are coming back, it will be intriguing to see whether Partey will be able to retain his place in the starting lineup. Arteta’s first choice trio is Partey, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard. But, the Gunners also bought Spanish international and EURO 2024 winner Mikel Merino and have hugely talented youngster Ethan Nwaneri, while Jorginho is an alternative choice in Partey’s position at the base of the midfield.Edu’s successor at Arsenal? Three contenders, two Gunners and one HammerArsenal are currently in fourth place in the Premier League, while they are seventh in the Champions League league phase table and are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they will host Crystal Palace. However, Arteta was tight-lipped when the subject of Partey’s contract was brought up ahead of today’s game with West Ham.“We will have the right time to discuss about the situation. He is showing consistency at the highest level, again because his availability and the way that he feels physically is allowing him to do that, and I am very pleased with that“ said the Spaniard.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 13Friday Brighton – Southampton 1-1 (1-0)/Mitoma 29 – Downes 59/Saturday 18.00: (1.67) Brentford (3.80) Leicester (5.30)18.00: (3.05) Crystal Palace (3.50) Newcastle (2.45)18.00: (1.80) Nott.Forest (3.70) Ipswich (5.00)18.00: (2.85) Wolverhampton (3.40) Bournemouth (2.45)20.30: (7.20) West Ham (4.75) Arsenal (1.48)Sunday 16.30: (1.75) Chelsea (4.10) Aston Villa (4.70)16.30: (1.53) Man.Utd. (4.10) Everton (6.50)16.30: (1.70) Tottenham (4.15) Fulham (4.50)19.00: (2.15) Liverpool (3.90) Man.City (3.25)***odds are subject to change***
