Kieran Gibbs has told Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal that they have to keep hold of Thomas Partey this summer amid rumours that he could still secure a transfer away from the club.
The former Arsenal left-back was told by journalist James Olliey ‘I think they might let Thomas Partey go if they get a suitable offer for him’.
But Gibbs started to nod his head in disagreement and added ‘he has to stay’ because you need that ‘thick squad’ to get through a season, as he told ESPN.
In 2020, Arsenal have put £45 million (Sky Sports) on the table for the hard-hitting midfielder, and since then, he has been a crucial figure for the side.
For large parts of last season, he was one of his side’s best players, before that slump during the final few weeks of the campaign.
Regardless of that slip-up, Gibbs wants Partey to stay because he is needed following the arrivals of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice.
“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.”
Who would come in if Partey leaves?
This is already an inflated transfer market, as Arsenal found out with the signing of Declan Rice.
So, if they do sell Partey, then they can’t replace him with a younger player, such as Romeo Lavia, because they would have to bring in another experienced face.
That would mean having to spend a serious amount of money again, so given that they have already done that, why waste that time and instead just keep Partey to save themselves the hassle?
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