By Kamal Yalwa – Wednesday, 17 September 2025
LONDON – Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court.
The 32-year-old, who now plays for Spanish side Villarreal, is facing five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to alleged incidents involving three women between 2021 and 2022, during his time as an Arsenal player.
Partey appeared in court on Wednesday for a 14-minute hearing, speaking only to confirm his name, date of birth, and enter his not guilty pleas. His trial is scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, and will be presided over by a High Court judge.
Judge Christopher Hehir acknowledged the lengthy delay, citing a significant backlog in the Crown Court system. Partey remains on bail under existing conditions, including restrictions on contacting the alleged victims and requirements to report any permanent address changes or international travel.
Partey was initially arrested in July 2022, though he was not publicly named at the time. He continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing, with his contract expiring on June 30, 2025. He was officially charged on July 4.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta previously stated the club was “100 per cent sure” all proper procedures were followed during the investigation. A club spokesperson confirmed that Partey was no longer under contract and declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
His court appearance came just a day after he featured as a substitute in Villarreal’s Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur in London.
Partey joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 in a £45 million deal. He made 35 Premier League appearances last season, scoring four goals, and has earned over 50 caps for Ghana, representing the national team at both the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.
