Mikel Arteta reveals stance on Thomas Partey with his contract up this summer - and confirms position Arsenal 'NEED' to strengthen
Mikel Arteta said he wants Thomas Partey to be rewarded with a new Arsenal contract after having his 'best' season at the club — but is keen to sign a 'goal threat' this summer.
The 31-year-old joined the Gunners in October 2020, with his contract expiring this summer.
He has made 34 league appearances this season — the most the Ghanaian has played in a single campaign.
Arteta said: 'We still have another Premier League match to play on Sunday and after that we have some time to sit down and finalise a few things that have to be done.
'In regards to Thomas, consistency-wise, it's been his best season. I think the way he's played, performed, his availability has been exceptional and he's a really important player for us.
'Yeah (I want him to stay).'
On the need to reinforce his squad, he said: 'What is clear with the amount of injuries that we had in the front line is that we need a goal threat and we need the firepower out there.
'Understanding that the context can change tomorrow, you know, and we cannot rely just on the numbers that we had before.
'And we have to add goals, we have to add creativity, we have to add numbers and that will be in different positions.'
Arteta also confirmed that Jurrien Timber underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday and is expected to be out for 'a while', while William Saliba is set to be sidelined for a 'few weeks'.
'Jurrien had surgery on Tuesday morning on his ankle,' he added.
'He's been feeling that discomfort for many, many weeks. He's been navigating through the season with that issue and it needed to be resolved, so he's going to be out for a while.
'And Saliba, he's had something in his hamstring the first half, just before half-time (against Newcastle), and again, he's going to be out for a few weeks.'
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