Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he is absolutely certain Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be an Arsenal player when the current transfer window closes. The young midfielder, who attracted interest from Chelsea earlier in the summer and has also been monitored by Manchester United, featured in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in May. When asked before the season‑opening Premier League match against Coventry City – a game broadcast live on Sky Sports – whether he believed Lewis‑Skelly would stay, Arteta responded without hesitation: “One hundred per cent.” He went on to explain why home‑grown talent is so valuable to the club. “Players who come through our academy and develop a genuine love for the Gunners bring something special,” Arteta said.
“We have to look after them in a very particular way because the value they add is hard to replace. When we can, we must protect those assets, nurture their growth, and make them central to the team’s future.” Another academy graduate, Martin Zubimendi, is also expected to stay. The World Cup‑winning Spaniard saw limited action toward the end of last season, but Arteta praised his contributions throughout the campaign. “Zubi was unquestionably one of our best performers last season,” the manager asserted.
“Without his influence we would never have reached the position we enjoyed in recent weeks. Even though his minutes dwindled toward the end, his impact remained significant and cannot be ignored.” Arteta addressed the criticism that Zubimendi only played in the Champions League final, emphasizing that his consistency over ten months was vital. “People say ‘he only featured in the final,’ but he contributed month after month. He deserves a great deal of credit for helping us reach that stage.” The manager also highlighted his personal conversations with the midfielder, noting Zubimendi’s honesty and self‑discipline.
“He pushes himself extremely hard, sometimes perhaps too hard, and he understands the need to raise the squad’s quality across every position.” Reflecting on squad rotation, Arteta warned against over‑reliance on a single player. “Last season we had him playing 55 games, which is unsustainable at this level. He now knows he must elevate his performance for a full season, not just a few months.” The Arsenal boss was also questioned about the possibility of tough conversations regarding players who might be allowed to leave. Names such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri have been linked with potential exits.
Arteta admitted the situation is delicate. “It’s a very hard moment, and we must face the reality with honesty and transparency,” he said. “Even if the message is uncomfortable, truthfulness helps everyone make better decisions and provides clarity for the next step in a player’s career.
These talks are never easy, but they are necessary.” He added that every decision is made with respect for the individual. “When a relationship ends, our duty is to handle it in the best possible way, showing admiration for the player. We aim to keep the squad as large as possible because depth protects us from the injury crises we suffered in several areas last season.” Arsenal’s historic record for player sales remains modest, with the highest fee received being the £35 million Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain nine years ago.
When asked if the club is poor at selling, Arteta responded that the issue is more nuanced. “It’s not simply good or bad; it depends on the players we have, their contracts, their desire to leave, and the market conditions.
Sometimes a player is happy to stay, which makes a sale more complex.” Regarding the need to sell players to fund new purchases, Arteta pointed to Arsenal’s recent growth. “No club in Europe has experienced the increase in value, performance and revenue that we have,” he noted.
“Other clubs may need to sell, but our strategy is to raise the club’s level and capacity dramatically.” The manager also addressed the fitness of new signing Bruno Guimarães ahead of the Coventry game. 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’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Arteta said. “He’s progressing well, but we’ll make a decision based on his condition.” Arteta spoke about the impact of the club’s £75 million midfield acquisition, emphasizing the boost in energy and competition that fresh signings bring.
“New players raise the standards for everyone, just as Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have done since they arrived.” Looking ahead, there is optimism that another recent signing, centre‑back Ezri Konsa, could be available for the opening league match. Konsa, arriving from Aston Villa for a reported £51 million, must be registered by noon on Thursday to be eligible. “I’m always positive and confident,” Arteta said. “We can’t control everything, but we are doing everything we can to get him cleared in time.
When we have an official update, we’ll let everyone know.” Overall, Arteta’s comments underline a clear commitment to retaining home‑grown talent, managing squad depth responsibly, and integrating new signings to sustain Arsenal’s upward trajectory in the Premier League and beyond.