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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he is "100%" confident the club handled matters correctly in relation to former midfielder Thomas Partey, who is now facing multiple criminal charges.
Partey, 32, departed Arsenal at the end of his contract on 30 June. Just days later, on 4 July, he was charged by the Metropolitan Police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2021 and 2022 and involve three different women.
According to the police, two rape charges relate to one woman, while three other rape charges involve a second woman. The sexual assault allegation concerns a third woman.
Partey has denied all allegations. In a statement through his lawyer, he "welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name."
The investigation began in February 2022 when police received the first report of rape.
While Arsenal are currently on their pre-season tour of Asia — with matches scheduled against AC Milan and Newcastle in Singapore, followed by a clash with Tottenham in Hong Kong — the situation surrounding Partey was raised during a press conference ahead of the Milan fixture.
Asked about the case and the club’s handling of it, Arteta said: "The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that."
When pressed on whether he believed the club had followed the correct procedures, Arteta responded: "100%, yes."
Partey is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 5 August.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @mikelarteta, Unsplash / whoisdenilo
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