Mikel Arteta confirms Kroenke Sports & Entertainment injected cash into Arsenal for the club to activate Thomas Partey’s release clause.

The Athletic initially reported that Arsenal owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment provided some funds to the club to sign Thomas Partey in a deadline-day deal. Mikel Arteta confirmed the story ahead of the Manchester City match this weekend.

“I think you asked me the day before or two days before if I felt that we had the backing and we had the right connections with the ownership, if they were involved and willing to do as much as possible to help the squad,” Arteta began.

“I said yes and that I was very, very convinced about that. Even if that [signing Partey] wouldn’t have happened, I would have still said the same thing.

“But they showed this time, with big funds, that they are here and they are really committed to what we are trying to do.”

Unlike with other recent transfers, Arsenal needed the full €50m in cash upfront for this one. Atletico refused to negotiate any swap deal, lower price or instalment payment, and the Gunners simply didn’t have the funds available to pay the clause in one go.

For once, KSE stepped in to solve the problem with a cash injection. They wanted to prove they back Mikel Arteta and that they’ll help the club through the current financial difficulties. As we know, they also helped refinance club debts earlier in the summer.

I wouldn’t expect this to be a regular occurrence from now on. We’re in exceptional circumstances at the moment, and Arsenal’s model has always been primarily to live within their means.

But perhaps it’s a sign that the owners care that little bit more now they’re fully in charge.

For the immediate future, it’s just good to have the player in the squad. Partey should make a top addition to the Arsenal midfield, and one worth the money they’re paying.