Thomas Partey has dropped a major hint on his Arsenal future amid speculation that Martin Zubimendi has been signed as his replacement.
The Ghana international joined the Gunners from Atleitco Madrid five years ago in a £50million transfer.
Partey has played a central role in the various incarnations of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal over the course of his spell at the north London club.
The 31-year-old’s contract expired at the start of June and is currently a free agent able to speak to interested clubs.
Arsenal confirmed last week that they remained in talks with Partey and were hopeful of agreeing a short-term deal that would see him extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.
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Partey’s final decision could well be influenced by Arteta’s plan for him next season and with Zubimendi set to join, despite late interest from Real Madrid, it is uncertain whether or not Arsenal’s most experienced midfielder would settle for a reduced role.
The player, himself, however, insists what is best for him and his young family will play a decisive role in his eventual decision.
Asked if Zubimendi’s imminent arrival was playing on his mind, he told 3 Sports: ‘I think the first thing is where are you happy and wher do you feel at home. At the end of the day you’ve been in football, you’ve been in different teams.
‘Then it’s about what is your next objective what do you want to achieve next. You still have to look at all this and at the end of the day we all have a family that needs money, this is our mind.
‘We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you go out nobody is going to destroy your family, these are things you have to look at. When you are young you just anywhere.
‘I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to may agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.’
Partey enjoyed arguably his best season at Arsenal last season, apparently having overcome the consistent injury issues that had plagued him in previous years.
‘I think they will say about the availability because I was available throughout the whole season so of course they will say that,’ he added when asked if he felt he was in the best form of his career.
‘Every moment, every year or every time in training there I feel I’ve been in my best because I can’t count how many games I was not giving all my best.
‘Sometimes it may go bad but every game I go all out and try to give my best. I feel happy in me, every year injury or no injury which is part of it I have given my best.’