Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The Ghanaian international, 32, spoke only to confirm his identity during the brief hearing and was granted conditional bail. Prosecutors allege Partey raped two women on five occasions and sexually assaulted a third woman between April 2021 and June 2022, a period that overlaps with his tenure at Arsenal. He has not yet entered a plea but has previously denied all allegations. Judge Paul Goldspring set strict bail conditions: Partey must not contact the complainants, must notify police of any permanent change of address, and must give 24-hours’ notice before any international travel. His next court appearance is scheduled for 2 September at the Old Bailey in London. Partey left Arsenal when his contract expired in June after making 52 appearances last season. Signed from Atlético Madrid for €50 million in 2020, he is reported to be close to a free-transfer move to Villarreal; the Spanish club is weighing whether to proceed in light of the criminal case.