Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, 32, has officially pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges against him in London. According to reports, Partey is accused of five counts of rape by two separate women, as well as one count of sexual assault by a third complainant. The trial date has been set for November 2, 2026, allowing several months for preparation before the British courts.
These accusations relate to alleged incidents occurring between 2021 and 2022, when Thomas Partey was still playing for Arsenal in London. In total, the charges include five rapes—two against the first complainant and three against the second—as well as one sexual assault charge involving a third woman. Partey wore the Gunners jersey from 2020 until leaving the club this summer to join Villarreal in Spain.
The case has attracted significant media and public attention, especially as the player continued to play for Arsenal for nearly three years despite ongoing investigations. Arsenal faces pressure over how it handled the situation, though the presumption of innocence remains in place and the trial will be held at Southwark Crown Court in London.
Beyond the legal process, this case marks an important turning point in Thomas Partey’s career, who, after leaving Arsenal at the end of his contract in 2025, has just signed with Villarreal. The trial scheduled for autumn 2026 will be decisive, as the Ghanaian midfielder firmly denies all accusations against him.