Key Arsenal player may leave for free due to delay in contract negotiations.

It seems that Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, is facing a challenging situation as one of his key players, Thomas Partey, could potentially leave the club for free in January. According to reports, contract negotiations between Partey and Arsenal have hit a roadblock, putting his future with the team in doubt.
Partey, who was signed from Atletico Madrid for a hefty £45 million in 2020, has been a crucial part of Arsenal's midfield since his arrival. Despite an injury-plagued season last year, the Ghanaian midfielder has made a strong comeback this season, making 21 appearances in all competitions. With injuries to other key players like Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino, Arteta has heavily relied on Partey and has even used him as a makeshift right-back on occasions.
In a recent interview, Arteta had expressed his intention to discuss a new contract with Partey soon, praising his consistency and physical abilities. However, it seems that little progress has been made in this regard, as reported by the Daily Mail. This means that Partey could potentially start negotiating with foreign clubs in January for a pre-contract agreement.
It is not surprising that Partey has attracted interest from clubs in Serie A and the Saudi Pro League, given his experience and talent in midfield. If he does leave Arsenal, former Gunners striker Alan Smith suggests that the team should consider AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders as a replacement. Smith believes that Arsenal could benefit from a player like Reijnders, especially since Partey may not be able to keep up with his previous athletic abilities.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is preparing to face Everton at the Emirates stadium this weekend. It remains to be seen whether Partey will be a part of the team or if his future with the club will be resolved by then. But one thing is for sure, Arteta and Arsenal will have to make some important decisions in the coming weeks to secure their midfield and keep their squad competitive.

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