Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey pleads not guilty to two further charges of rape

13 April, 2026 | News

Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to two additional counts of rape at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The 32-year-old former Arsenal F.C. midfielder denied the allegations, which relate to an incident involving a woman in December 2020. He had been formally charged with the offences earlier in 2026.

This development adds to previous charges. In September 2025, Partey also pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape involving two other women and one count of sexual assault against a third, with the alleged incidents said to have occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal.

Judge Tony Baumgartner ruled that all charges will be tried together, although he indicated the trial could now be delayed until January next year.

In total, Partey faces seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault involving four different women, all of which he denies. He has been granted bail ahead of trial.

Partey, who now plays for Villarreal CF, previously joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid in 2020 in a transfer reportedly worth around £45 million. He has also earned over 50 caps for Ghana, representing the country at major tournaments including the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

The case is scheduled to return to court for a pre-trial hearing on May 14.