Mikel Arteta has made his thoughts perfectly clear on Arsenal star Thomas Partey with his future still uncertain. The Ghana international, who sees his contract expire next summer, was expected to depart ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, however he remained at Emirates Stadium for a fifth season.

Injuries have plagued the midfielder in recent years but he has started every Premier League game this season, which shows Arteta is clearly still of the belief he is an important player. Both Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, as recent midfield signings, are favoured by Arteta in more advanced positions which leaves Partey and Jorginho as his two holding midfielders.

The Italy international will also see his contract expire in 2025 after signing a one-year extension earlier this year which leaves Arteta and Edu with two huge decisions. Though there is a possibility both could leave, Arteta’s latest comments on Partey suggest he would be more than happy for him to stay.

“Very important as he is a massive player for us,” Arteta replied when asked about Partey’s performance levels this season. “He has shown that for us week in, week out. He has started the season really well. The way he came back post-holidays it was probably the best condition he has been in so that was really helpful.

“Now he needs to continue to adapt. We have managed certain minutes of him and he is doing everything he can to be in the best physical condition. It is about consistency. Obviously when you change certain habits, things don’t happen overnight.

“If it doesn’t happen in two or three weeks and you throw in the towel, you waste the next two or three years of your career. He is doing everything to adapt and his work ethic has been better than ever. Defensively he has been really solid and with the ball he had moments.

“The other day was probably his most complete performance because he gave us everything we wanted from him.” Asked specifically if he was playing for his future, Arteta unsurprisingly, did not give a straight response to that question.

“We are playing to find our best version and the most competitive team we can be to win every single game,” he said. Based on Arteta’s praise for Partey, he may well want to keep him on for another few years with the option of signing a short-term contract certainly on the table.

Edu has played a key role in tying down several key players to new contracts, with Ben White as the most recent star to agree fresh terms, and his next task could be convincing Partey to extend his stay at the club and not look to secure a transfer exit.

Though there is seven months remaining on his deal, Arsenal may want to work quickly if their final decision is for Partey to stay with the 31-year-old able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with other clubs in January.