Thomas Partey to take the 'lucky' number five jersey at Arsenal next season

Thomas Partey has selected a new Arsenal squad number for the upcoming 2021/22 Premier League season.

The Ghanaian international will be representing the Gunners for his second campaign at the club, following his £45m move from Atletico Madrid in October.

Last season, Partey donned the number 18 shirt, but he was keen to switch it to his 'lucky' number five.

Arsenal have now confirmed that Partey will represent the number in the coming season.

He told Arsenal's official website: 'I like the Number five because it's one of the most important numbers in the team and it is also a lucky number for me.

'It's the number I've worn for the past few years, so for me it's one of the best numbers.'

Some famous names who have worn the shirt in the past include Steve Bould, Kolo Toure and Thomas Vermaelen.

When Partey joined the club, the shirt was worn by Greek centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

But after two and a half seasons at the club, the defender's contract was terminated by the Gunners back in January this year.

That has freed up Partey to take on his lucky digit on the back of his shirt going forward.

Partey first wore the number five shirt back in 2013, while on a loan spell at Mallorca from Atletico Madrid.

He initially donned the number 22 for Atletico Madrid but later switched to five in 2017 as he became a regular part of Diego Simeone's side.