Ex-Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to two further counts of rape

The former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape.Partey, 32, gave his plea at a hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, a day after he was not part of the matchday squad for Spanish side Villarreal’s La Liga game against Athletic Club.Those two counts will be tried alongside five other counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, already set to be tried at Southwark Crown Court following earlier not guilty pleas by Partey. The trial was originally scheduled for November this year, but it may now be delayed until early 2027.Advertisement