In light of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s expiring contract, former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has urged the club to devise backup plans for his possible exit next summer.
While the 31-year-old has displayed remarkable performances this season, including a key role in Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, uncertainty looms over his long-term future with the Gunners.
Smith advocates for a proactive approach, recommending that Arsenal seek out potential replacements for the the Ghana Black Stars deputy captain.
He specifically mentioned Tijjani Reijnders as a candidate worth considering.
“I think Arteta is looking at Tijjani Reijnders because players like Thomas Partey don’t seem capable of what they used to do athletically and can’t cover the pitch as they once did,” Smith said, as quoted by Tribuna.com.
“Arsenal have spent a lot of money, but if they’ve got the funds, you just want to keep improving the squad,” Smith added.
Despite Smith’s concerns, manager Mikel Arteta has maintained a composed stance regarding the situation surrounding Partey’s contract.
