Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges of rape and sexual assault during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court. The Ghanaian footballer, now playing for Spanish club Villareal, faces five counts of rape and one charge of sexual assault involving three women. The alleged incidents occurred between 2021 and 2022, during his tenure with the Premier League club. Partey, 32, was charged just four days after his contract with Arsenal expired at the end of June. The court granted him bail pending his trial, which is scheduled to commence on November 2, 2024. During the hearing, Partey confirmed his identity and denied all charges. His bail conditions permit him to continue his football career but require him to notify authorities of any international travel 24 hours in advance and prohibit contact with the complainants. Partey’s appearance in court coincided with his presence in England for a Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur, where he came on as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat for Villareal. The case has drawn significant attention due to Partey’s high-profile career and the serious nature of the allegations.