Tensions are reportedly running high within the Arsenal squad following their painful Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
The atmosphere in the camp has become noticeably strained, and things took an even more dramatic turn after midfielder Thomas Partey gave a brutally honest post-match press conference, where he openly voiced his frustrations.
Partey, who is usually reserved in public, surprised many by expressing his disappointment toward a specific teammate’s display in the match.
Speaking frankly to the media, the Ghanaian international admitted that he had counted on this teammate to help relieve some of the burden and pressure from himself, but instead, he felt let down on the night when the stakes were at their highest.
“I was depending on him to help shield me from the fans’ criticism,” Partey admitted during the press conference.
“But unfortunately, his performance fell short. I can’t hide my disappointment with how he played tonight.”
When journalists pressed him to clarify who he was referring to, Partey was clear — and to the surprise of many, he ruled out both Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard, two players who were highly involved in the game and had also been under heavy scrutiny.
Instead, Partey revealed that his disappointment was aimed at striker Eddie Nketiah.
“It wasn’t Rice, it wasn’t Ødegaard. You all saw it yourselves — it was Eddie Nketiah,” Partey stated bluntly.
“This was supposed to be his big moment, the night to prove his critics wrong. But instead, he couldn’t leave his mark on the match.
Maybe he should consider a move to Saudi Arabia or another league where the pressure isn’t as intense.”
Partey’s cutting remarks sent shockwaves through the press room, leaving reporters murmuring in disbelief at his level of honesty and public criticism.
Nketiah, who had started the match but largely failed to trouble PSG’s defense, has been under growing scrutiny from Arsenal fans this season, with many questioning his consistency and effectiveness in front of goal.
Partey’s comments have now added fuel to speculation about growing tensions within the Arsenal dressing room, as frustrations mount following a season that began with high ambitions but is now teetering on disappointment with little silverware to show.
When Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was later asked about Partey’s comments, he appeared visibly uneasy and avoided adding fuel to the fire.
“We win together and we lose together,” Arteta said carefully. “That’s the only way forward.”
With Arsenal now knocked out of European competition and concerns mounting over the team’s attacking depth and overall squad strength, the spotlight will now shift to Nketiah.
Fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how he responds — both on the field and potentially in the summer transfer market, with a possible move away from the Emirates now looking increasingly plausible.
