Villarreal manager Marcelino says Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey is “mentally and technically prepared” to face Tottenham in Tuesday’s Champions League opener, despite being due in court the following day on rape and sexual assault charges.
Partey, 32, was last month charged with five counts of rape involving two women and one count of sexual assault against a third woman, alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal. He denies all allegations, with his lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, stating that he “welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name.”
Granted conditional bail, Partey signed for Villarreal two days later. The Spanish club, who finished fifth in La Liga last season, have used him in four matches this campaign, including one start.
On Wednesday, Partey is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court for a plea hearing—just 24 hours after Villarreal’s clash with Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham.
“I am totally convinced that he is mentally prepared and technically prepared to play tomorrow,” Marcelino said at Monday’s press conference.
“We are very happy Thomas is with us, both for his football capacity and his presence as a human. He has great experience and has played at the top level.”
Asked about the potential hostility from Tottenham fans, Marcelino avoided specifics, stressing that football should remain the focus. “We’re talking about a player who could be totally innocent,” the Villarreal boss said. “The important thing tomorrow is football. This is where football was invented, after all.”
Partey, who joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020, made 167 appearances and scored nine goals for the Gunners before moving to Villarreal in the summer.
