£200k-per-week Arsenal star "looking" to quit despite Real Madrid "masterclass"

One player who dazzled in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night is “now looking” to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to a report.

Arsenal make history with stunning victory over Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta watched on from the sidelines as his side dominated European champions Real, in what was a statement performance from the Gunners.

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Declan Rice made all the headlines with his stunning pair of free-kicks, with makeshift striker Mikel Merino also adding to his tally of strikes this season by scoring Arsenal’s third of the contest.

The Premier League side have placed one huge foot in the Champions League semi-finals, and Carlo Ancelotti will be debilitated for the second leg after midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was sent off in the dying minutes of Real’s heavy defeat.

That being said, Los Blancos still pose a huge threat, and have made some truly historic comebacks on big nights in Europe over the last decade. Taking this into account, Arteta is definitely not counting his chickens just yet.

“I know how much work and how many decisions a lot of people have made in this football club, to live the night that we had tonight,” said a joyous Arteta after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real.

“I told them, thank you so much for making us enjoy the journey, to come here, and thank you, for me feeling so convinced that tonight we’re going to do it, and we’re going to make it happen. It was a genuine feeling because I think we are prepared to do that, and now we have to go to the Bernabeu and do it, and that will be another step.”

Alongside the likes of Rice, another key performer who’s attracted serious praise for his display against Real comes in the form of £200,000-per-week midfielder Thomas Partey.

The Ghanaian has been lavished by media for his “masterclass” in front of the back four, helping to break up Real’s play and averaging an impressive 94% passing accuracy over the 90 minutes. Partey also made more tackles than any other Arsenal player bar Jurrien Timber (WhoScored), and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Thomas Partey “now looking” to leave Arsenal this summer

The 31-year-old has been very useful for Arteta this term, impressing both at both right-back and in midfield, but his contract is currently set to expire this summer as things stand.

There has been little noise regarding a potential new deal for Partey, with journalist Sergi Sole providing an update on his future in a piece for Mundo Deportivo.

Indeed, it is believed that Partey is “now looking” to leave Arsenal this summer, as he is keen to embark on a new chapter at this stage in his career, and Barcelona are thought to be his preference.

Performances like Tuesday night’s showcase why losing the African for nothing is a real blow for Arsenal, and new sporting director Andrea Berta should very seriously consider the possibility of attempting to change his mind and negotiating fresh terms.

Partey could still have a pivotal role to play and could prove a useful asset to have yet again next season, when Arteta will be hoping to end Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title.