BREAKING NEWS: Thomas Partey has come out swinging after Arsenal’s recent performance, saying, “I counted on him to protect me from the fans’ backlash, but he completely flopped. His display was rubbish, and honestly, I think it’s time he starts getting familiar with Saudi football.” Partey made it clear he was disappointed — and no, he wasn’t talking about Declan Rice or Martin Ødegaard. According to the midfielder, this unnamed teammate didn’t just mess up — he let the entire squad down.

The atmosphere within the Arsenal squad seems to be getting tense after Thomas Partey didn’t hold back in his recent press conference, where he voiced his frustration about a teammate’s underwhelming performance. Clearly upset, Partey recounted how he was counting on this player during a pivotal moment in their most recent game, only to be let down in a big way. The sting in his words left little doubt that the dressing room harmony is cracking.

 

There was widespread speculation that Partey might be pointing fingers at one of the more prominent names in the team, like Declan Rice or skipper Martin Ødegaard. But the Ghanaian midfielder shut down those rumors quickly, confirming that neither of those names were the target of his criticism. That only deepened the mystery and upped the drama.

 

In a particularly cutting remark, Partey confessed, “I relied on him yesterday to save me from the fans dragging, but still, he played rubbish.” His blunt assessment didn’t end there — he concluded by saying it might be time for that player to “learn Saudi,” a veiled way of saying they might be better off transferring out, possibly to the lucrative Saudi Pro League.

 

Although Partey didn’t explicitly name the individual during the conference, insiders have all but confirmed that he was referring to Jakub Kiwior. Kiwior’s recent display was riddled with mistakes, exposing Arsenal’s defense and contributing to a game many fans and pundits felt the Gunners should have controlled more convincingly.

 

Reactions online came thick and fast. Some supporters praised Partey’s no-nonsense honesty, calling it a breath of fresh air in a world full of canned footballer responses. Others, however, argued that such raw opinions should’ve been kept behind closed doors. The “learn Saudi” comment, in particular, lit a firestorm, seen by many as a savage nudge toward an exit.

 

In the aftermath of the controversy, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta stepped in to try and douse the flames. Addressing reporters, he emphasized that wins and losses are shared equally among the squad, and made it clear the focus is now on bouncing back in their upcoming fixtures. He stressed that internal matters would be handled privately, as they should be.

 

This incident is yet another thorn in Arsenal’s side during what’s already been a bumpy ride this season. The club is still in the hunt for trophies, but their path is being made tougher by not just tough opponents, but internal friction that’s becoming harder to ignore. The locker room chemistry that’s crucial for title runs seems to be faltering at the worst possible time.

 

All eyes will now be on the next team sheet. Will the unnamed player be benched or backed? Will the rift deepen or be patched over? One thing’s clear — things are simmering in North London, and if Arsenal don’t get a grip soon, the boiling point might come quicker than they’d like.