Arsenal star Thomas Partey has claimed: “My head is always here” as the Ghana midfielder said he will be happy to sign a new contract and stay at the Emirates Stadium.
And the £45m star declared he is fit and ready for the Gunners’ title run-in. Partey is out of contract at the end of next season and has made limited appearances in this injury-hit campaign.
He made his first start since August in the 2-0 win over Luton which saw the Gunners return to the top of the table. And giving a rare interview in the post-match mixed zone, Partey was asked if he will remain at Arsenal next season.
“My head is always here,” he said. “This is where I choose to play, I’m really happy every time I’m on the field. I know a lot of speculation has been going on, but for me, I’m really happy to be here and to continue playing for this club.
“With my contract, I still have to the end of the season, I think. I have to do my best and try to perform at the highest level and I think the most important is to be available every time.”
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu agreed new long-term contracts recently following new deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and William Saliba in the past 18 months. Partey started the season playing at right-back and played only 15 minutes between August and March and missed the AFCON because of a hamstring strain.
“I’ve been trying to work a lot on my fitness and I’ve been through a lot of work. I’ve done all I can and I’m really happy to be back and I feel really good. I think I’ve improved a lot on my fitness, and I’m trying my best to keep on going at this level and keep giving my best.”
Mikel Arteta claimed Partey and Declan Rice would make a “very powerful midfield” combination but the two are yet to start a Premier League match. The £105m summer signing replaced the Ghanaian in the second half against Luton.
Partey said: “I think everybody is working hard, we have a lot of great players Jorgi’s (Jorginho) there, Dec is there and I think Mo (Elneny) as well and we have a lot of players in that position and I think it’s good to have everybody ready this time of the season and from the beginning when I tried everything I can to be available.
“But I have to keep on working and at the end they really did well. Everybody is working really hard and the team has improved a lot and I think we have to continue working like this to the end. We need to achieve a lot of great things with this hard work and I think that’s what the team is working on.”
