Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he believes Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be wearing the Arsenal badge when the summer transfer window finally shuts. The Arsenal manager said he is "100 per cent" sure that the teenage midfielder, who featured in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in May, will stay at the club. Lewis‑Skelly had attracted interest from several big clubs earlier in the season, most notably Chelsea, while Manchester United have also been monitoring his progress for some time.
Despite the rumours, Arteta was asked before the season‑opening match against Coventry City whether he expected the youngster to leave. "I am 100 per cent confident he will be an Arsenal player," Arteta replied during the pre‑match press conference broadcast live on Sky Sports. He went on to explain why Arsenal are determined to protect their home‑grown talents.
"Players who come through our academy develop a special bond with the club," Arteta said. "That connection brings something intangible that you cannot buy on the transfer market. We have a duty to look after them in a very specific way because their value – both on and off the pitch – is extremely difficult to replace.
When we have the chance, we must safeguard those assets, nurture their development and make them integral parts of the first‑team project." Arteta also highlighted another academy graduate, Martin Zubimendi, who is expected to remain with the Gunners. Zubimendi, a World Cup winner with Spain, missed the tail end of last season due to injury but was praised by the manager for his contributions when he was fit.
"Zubi was unquestionably one of our best performers last season," Arteta said. "Without his influence we would never have achieved the position we found ourselves in during the final weeks of the campaign." He continued, "We all know that the squad’s depth over ten months was crucial. Even though he missed a few games toward the end, the minutes he did play were vital, and no one can discount his impact. Some people point out that he featured in the Champions League final, but the truth is that his consistency over the whole season helped us reach that stage.
He deserves a great deal of credit for that." Arteta described his personal conversations with Zubimendi, noting the midfielder’s honesty and self‑discipline. "He is a very straight‑forward guy and demands a lot from himself – sometimes perhaps too much.
He understands that we need to raise the overall quality of the squad in every position, and he knows we cannot repeat the heavy workload he endured last season, where he played 55 matches. The aim now is for him to elevate his level for a full eleven‑month campaign, not just a short burst." When asked about the possibility of having to make tough decisions regarding the squad, Arteta acknowledged that several high‑profile players have been linked with moves away from the Emirates. Names such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and the prodigy Ethan Nwaneri have all surfaced in the media. "It is a very difficult period for the club," Arteta admitted.
"We have to confront the reality with complete honesty and transparency. If a player is told something that is uncomfortable but truthful, it can ultimately help them make better career decisions. These conversations are never easy, but they are necessary." He stressed the importance of treating departing players with respect. "Every contract has a beginning and an end.
When a relationship finishes, it is our duty to handle it in the best possible way, with admiration for what the player contributed. At the same time, we must keep the squad as large as possible because depth protects us from the kind of injury crises we suffered last season in several areas of the pitch. A deeper roster gives us flexibility, but the players must also feel valued and essential." Regarding Arsenal’s reputation for selling players, Arteta pointed out that the club’s biggest sale remains the £35 million transfer of Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain to Liverpool nine years ago. When pressed on whether Arsenal are poor at generating income from player sales, he responded, "It is not a question of being good or bad.
It depends on the circumstances surrounding each player – their contract length, their desire to leave, the market value and the club’s strategic needs. Sometimes a player may be happy to stay, which makes a sale more complicated.
It’s never a simple decision." On the broader financial strategy, Arteta said the club does not need to sell players simply to fund new signings. "Our growth in terms of on‑field performance, brand value and revenue over the past few years has been extraordinary for a club of our size. Some clubs have to offload talent to stay afloat, but we have taken a different approach: we are focused on raising the overall level and capacity of the organization." The manager also addressed the fitness of new signing Bruno Guimarães ahead of the opening league fixture. The Brazilian midfielder was substituted at half‑time in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and was later seen with an ice pack on his leg.
"We will see how he feels tomorrow," Arteta said. "He is progressing well, but we will make a final decision based on his condition." Arteta highlighted the impact that recent high‑profile arrivals bring to the squad. "A £75 million midfielder adds fresh energy and creates competition for places," he noted.
"When you bring in players like Bruno, or younger talents such as Christos Tzolis or Illan Meslier, the entire group is pushed to improve." He also gave a hopeful hint about another incoming defender, Ezri Konsa, who is set to join from Aston Villa for around £51 million. "If the paperwork is completed before the deadline, we could see him in the line‑up against Coventry," Arteta said. "I remain positive and confident, but there are factors beyond our control. When everything is finalized, we will announce it." In summary, Arteta’s message to Arsenal supporters and the broader football community is one of optimism tempered with realism.
He believes that home‑grown talents like Lewis‑Skelly and Zubimendi are central to the club’s future, that difficult conversations about player exits must be handled with honesty, and that strategic investments in new signings will raise the overall standard of the team. The manager’s confidence, combined with a clear plan for squad depth and development, sets the tone for what Arsenal hopes will be a competitive and successful season.