Arsenal midfielder to leave in January – if he doesn't start games soon: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Artet during a training session at London Colney on September 16, 2023 in St Albans, England.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta could be forced to sell a midfielder in January, who is demanding he features regularly in the coming months.

The Gunners have begun the season with four wins from five, with their Basque boss keeping a settled side so far. Sunday's win against Everton, however, saw two of Arteta's biggest calls so far this season selection-wise, with David Raya brought in for his debut and Kai Havertz swapped out for Fabio Vieira.

Now, an Arsenal midfielder has reportedly told his manager that he wants to be featuring regularly up until Christmas – or he'll be off in the winter window. 

Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, speaks with Martin Oedegaard and Bukayo Saka during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Goodison Park on September 17, 2023 in Liverpool, England.

Arteta has kept a settled side thus far (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Football Insider says that the injured Thomas Partey wants to go straight back into the starting XI, despite competition for his place, or he will consider the exit door.

Partey begun the season as a right-back for the Gunners before picking up an injury – which coincided with Oleksandr Zinchenko's return to the first team. Now, there doesn't seem the need for the Ghanaian as a full-back, though he could challenge Havertz for the last spot in midfield.

Juventus were rumoured to be interested in signing Partey over the summer. With Paul Pogba set to see his contract terminated after failing a drugs test, Arsenal's No.5 may well be in line to replace the Frenchman at the Allianz Stadium. 

Thomas Partey of Arsenal

Thomas Partey may be ready to leave Arsenal imminently (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Currently out of action for the north Londoners, Partey is expected to return next month. 

The 30-year-old is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €35 million.

More Arsenal stories

Mikel Arteta has revealed the strange marriage metaphor he's used to motivate Kai Havertz. The Basque boss used another bizarre analogy recently to explain his tactics against Manchester City.

The Arsenal manager has had to defend Havertz already this season, notably after the 2-2 draw against Fulham.

Meanwhile, Brentford striker Ivan Toney has revealed he would be interested in a move to Arsenal in future.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.