Midfielder Thomas Partey, previously of Arsenal, is on the verge of joining Villarreal, days before his scheduled court appearance over a rape allegation.
Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, finds himself embroiled in legal proceedings following charges of rape and sexual assault. The charges involve three women, with alleged incidents spanning from 2021 to 2022. Despite the serious allegations, Partey vehemently denies all charges.
The investigation into these matters began in February 2022, with officers first receiving a report of rape. Despite being arrested in July 2022, Partey was not publicly named at the time and continued playing for Arsenal during the ongoing investigation. Charges were formally brought on July 4, 2025.
Partey officially appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court on August 5, 2025, where he was granted conditional bail. He was not required to enter a plea during this brief hearing but confirmed he understood the charges and bail conditions. The bail conditions prohibit Partey from contacting the alleged victims and require him to notify the police of any changes to his address or any international travel.
Following this, his case was transferred to the Crown Court, and his next court appearance is scheduled for September 2, 2025, at the Old Bailey (London’s central criminal court).
Throughout the process, Partey, through his lawyer Jenny Wiltshire, has maintained his innocence and expressed his intention to clear his name. Arsenal FC, in adherence to ongoing legal proceedings, has refrained from commenting on the case. Partey’s contract with Arsenal ended on June 30, 2025, and he has since become a free agent.
In a surprising turn of events, it has been reported that Partey is set to join Villarreal. The Athletic has reported that he has undergone a medical and is expected to sign a two-year deal with Villarreal until 2027.
Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal boss, has stated that he was "100 per cent" confident that Arsenal followed the correct processes regarding the club's handling of Partey. However, further comments from Partey's legal team have been withheld due to ongoing legal proceedings.
Partey's contributions to Arsenal should not be overlooked. In the 2020-21 season, he scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 167 appearances. He remained an important part of Mikel Arteta's side during the 2024-25 season, accumulating 52 appearances in all competitions.
This summary is based on current publicly available information from sources such as Sky Sports, ESPN, and CBS Sports as of early August 2025.
- Despite the ongoing legal proceedings involving general-news topics of crime and justice, Thomas Partey is rumored to be joining sports team Villarreal, with football being the specific sport in question.
- Amidst the serious allegations and charges against Thomas Partey, it's important to remember his significant contributions to the Arsenal football team during the 2020-21 and 2024-25 seasons as one of their key midfielders.
