A highly emotional scene played out at Arsenal’s London Colney training base this morning as team captain Martin Ødegaard broke down in tears while confirming to the press that one of his teammates had been dismissed by the club’s board after a disappointing 2024/25 season under manager Mikel Arteta.
The club’s leadership apparently took the painful and surprising decision late last night after months of ongoing worries over the player’s declining performances and troubling attitude.
The news quickly triggered a wave of speculation among fans and the media about which player might have been involved. Almost immediately, club sources rushed to make clear that Thomas Partey was not the player affected, despite ongoing questions over the Ghanaian’s future.
Instead, the player whose contract was ended — and whose identity is yet to be officially made public pending a club statement — is someone who had struggled all season long to maintain his fitness and make a strong impact on the pitch.
Throughout this latest campaign, he failed to convince Arteta that he could remain an integral part of Arsenal’s plans moving forward.
As captain Ødegaard spoke to reporters, his emotions were plain for everyone to see. In his heartfelt words, he explained just how devastating the news had been for himself and his teammates.
“I cried so much this morning when I heard that the board had already decided to terminate his contract,” he revealed. “It’s an incredibly sad moment for all of us in the dressing room.
None of us wanted this outcome. Football can be really harsh sometimes, and he was like a brother to so many of us here.”
While the precise details surrounding the player’s departure have been closely guarded, credible reports suggest that a tense incident occurred in training yesterday that might have pushed the club’s hierarchy to act.
Insiders have noted that this player had been inconsistent all season long and failed to meet the physical and tactical expectations Arteta demands.
It’s understood that behind the scenes, Arteta had been contemplating moving him on for some time. This latest issue simply hastened a decision that many suspected was inevitable.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar also spoke at the conference, acknowledging the pain of the situation but emphasizing that difficult choices sometimes need to be made.
“Parting ways is never an easy decision, especially with someone who has given us great memories,” Edu stated.
“But at the end of the day, we have to do what is right for the club and for the future. Our aim is to build a team that can truly compete and grow together.”
The shock announcement fits into a larger overhaul that Arsenal are undergoing as they plan for the 2025/26 season.
They have already been active in the transfer market, working hard to bolster the squad with new arrivals while also looking to offload players who don’t fit into Arteta’s long-term strategy.
This high-profile exit is expected to be one of several departures as Arsenal continue their reshaping process.
Meanwhile, the player’s representatives have already begun reaching out to a number of interested clubs across Europe.
It’s believed a free transfer will materialize soon, with a decision on his future likely to emerge in the days ahead.
