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Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.
The 32-year-old appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning, just hours after appearing for Villarreal against Tottenham in the Champions League at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. Partey left Arsenal upon the expiry of his contract in the summer after spending five years at Emirates Stadium.
The Ghana international allegedly carried out the offences between 2021 and 2022, the Metropolitan Police previously said. Partey has been charged with two counts of rape of one woman, three counts of rape to a second woman and one count of sexual assault of a third woman.
During the hearing at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, Partey pleaded not guilty to all six counts he is accused of. He spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and his not guilty pleas during the short hearing.
The former Atletico Madrid man's lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has previously insisted her client "denies all the charges against him".
She added: "He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."
Partey was a key member of Mikel Arteta's squad last season. He made 52 appearances in all competitions and contributed with four goals and three assists. The Ghanaian signed from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a fee of £45million and he went on to make 167 appearances for the club.
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