Arsenal put out a little note on their website on June 4. It was the usual for that time of year, which meant thanking 20 players who were being released and a bit more on three whose situations were unresolved.
Now, one of those in the latter cohort was a big hitter - Thomas Partey. But as his contract was almost up, Arsenal were leaving themselves some wiggle room: ‘Discussions are ongoing, and once matters are finalised between all parties, we will communicate in due course.’
Except they didn’t, because Partey left when his deal ended on June 30 and nothing was announced.