Kieran Gibbs says it has ‘rocked me’ that Thomas Partey could leave Arsenal this summer alongside Granit Xhaka.
All the talk during these past few weeks has been about Arsenal trying to get a major transfer deal over the line for Declan Rice – and after some punches were thrown by Manchester City, it’s those in north London who have landed the knockout blow.
But as Rice enters the building, there is a chance that Thomas Partey leaves this summer and Gibbs told ESPN that it ‘hurts’ him that he continues to see ‘more and more’ of these stories.
It has been known for a while now that Granit Xhaka was going to leave, it seems as though the club were waiting to bring someone in before letting their former captain go.
But not many perhaps predicted a number of months ago that Partey, who was purchased for £45 million in 2020 under Arteta’s orders (The Athletic), was another name on the transfer exit list.
Well, in the next few weeks, that could become a reality and it’s not sitting well with former left-back Gibbs.
“I think it’s necessary (Rice’s signing), with Xhaka and potentially Partey leaving,” said Gibbs.
“Which hurts, by the way. I can’t lie. Partey leaving, I didn’t think that was going to be a thing, but I keep seeing it more and more. It’s making me feel uncomfortable about my bet with Stevie (Nicol) that Arsenal will win the league if Gundogan leaves Man City.
“But I didn’t see Partey leaving. It has rocked me. I didn’t see it coming.”
Partey exit would be a huge risk
The 30-year-old’s form fell flat on its face, just like Arsenal, during the final months of the campaign.
He was even dropped by his manager, but that shouldn’t hide the fact that, for at least 80% of the season, he was outstanding and proving to be one of the best number 6’s in the Premier League.
Therefore, if Arteta does allow him to leave, then it will be a big, big call and it will also put huge pressure on Rice to hit the ground running.
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