Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court, according to Sky Sports.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian international is accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third between 2021 and 2022, a period when he was still playing for Arsenal.

During the 14-minute session on Wednesday, Partey only confirmed his name, date of birth, and his not guilty pleas.

His trial has been scheduled to begin on November 2, 2026, under a High Court judge at the same venue.

Partey was initially arrested in July 2022 but was not publicly identified at the time, allowing him to continue playing for Arsenal while investigations proceeded. He was officially charged on July 4, 2025, shortly after leaving Arsenal when his contract expired at the end of June.

Now at Villarreal, Partey made a substitute appearance in Tuesday’s Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur in London, just a day before his latest court appearance.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had previously insisted in July that the club followed “100 per cent correct processes” regarding Partey’s arrest and investigation.

Judge Christopher Hehir acknowledged the length of time before trial, citing significant backlogs in the Crown Courts.

He confirmed that Partey remains on bail under strict conditions, including a ban on contacting the three women involved and a requirement to notify authorities of any change of address or international travel.

Source: Sky Sports