Mikel Arteta has made it crystal clear that he believes Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be wearing the Arsenal badge when the summer transfer window shuts. The Arsenal manager was asked before the club’s opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City whether he thought the 19‑year‑old midfielder would depart, and he answered without hesitation: "One hundred per cent." Lewis‑Skelly, who first burst onto the scene in Arsenal’s Champions League final loss to Paris Saint‑Germain in May, has attracted interest from several top clubs. Chelsea were rumored to be monitoring him earlier this summer, while Manchester United have long expressed admiration for his talents. Despite the external speculation, Arteta emphasized the importance of protecting home‑grown talent that has come through the club’s academy.
"Players who graduate from our academy and feel a deep connection with the club bring something special," he said. "We must look after them in a very particular way because their value is hard to replace. When we can, we need to safeguard those assets, develop them further, and make them integral to the team’s future." The manager also highlighted another academy graduate, Martin Zubimendi, who despite a late‑season injury spell, remains a key figure for Arsenal.
Arteta praised the World Cup winner’s contributions, noting that without Zubimendi’s consistency over ten months, the Gunners would not have achieved the strong position they enjoyed in the final weeks of last season. "He may not have featured in every minute, but his influence was undeniable," Arteta explained. "People sometimes point to his appearance in the Champions League final, but it’s the work he put in throughout the campaign that truly mattered." In a candid discussion with Zubimendi, Arteta said the midfielder understood the club’s strategic direction and was aware of the need to raise his own standards. "He is extremely demanding of himself, perhaps too much at times, and he recognises that we cannot rely on a player logging 55 games in a season again," the manager explained.
"The goal now is for him to sustain that level over an entire season, not just a handful of months." When pressed about the possibility of off‑loading certain members of the squad, Arteta admitted that difficult conversations are inevitable. Players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and the teenage prodigy Ethan Nwaneri have all been linked with potential moves away from the Emirates.
"It’s a tough moment, but we have to confront reality with honesty and transparency," Arteta said. "If a player is told something that is uncomfortable but truthful, it can help them make better decisions about their career. These discussions are never easy, yet they are essential for maintaining respect and admiration for the individual while also serving the club’s long‑term interests." He added that Arsenal’s philosophy is to keep the squad as deep as possible, especially after the injury crises of the previous campaign that exposed a lack of cover in several areas. "The larger the squad, the better we can cope with unforeseen setbacks," Arteta noted.
"However, each player must feel valued and understand their role within the team." Regarding Arsenal’s historic record of player sales, the manager dismissed the notion that the club is either good or bad at transferring talent. The most expensive departure remains Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain’s £35 million move to Liverpool nine years ago. Arteta explained that the decision to sell a player depends on a mix of factors: contract length, the player’s desire to leave, market conditions and the club’s sporting objectives.
"It’s never a simple equation," he said. "Sometimes a player is happy to stay, and other times the right circumstances simply don’t align." On the broader financial strategy, Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s remarkable growth in recent years. "No other European club has experienced the same surge in value, performance, and revenue that we have," he asserted.
"Our approach is to keep raising the club’s level and capacity, rather than simply selling players to fund new signings." Turning to the squad’s immediate health, Arteta expressed uncertainty about Bruno Guimarães’ availability for the opening league match. The Brazilian midfielder was withdrawn at halftime during the Community Shield win over Manchester City and was 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 final decision in the morning." The arrival of a new £75 million midfielder has injected fresh energy into the team, according to Arteta.
"New signings bring competition and a desire to prove themselves," he remarked. "When you have players like Christos Tzolis or Illan Meslier from day one, it lifts the overall standard." Looking ahead, Arteta hinted that the club’s latest acquisition, centre‑back Ezri Konsa, could be available for the Coventry fixture. Konsa’s £51 million move from Aston Villa requires registration by noon on Thursday to be eligible. "I’m always positive and confident," Arteta said.
"We can’t control every factor, but we’re doing everything we can to get him cleared in time. When everything is sorted, we’ll let the fans know." In summary, Arteta’s message to Arsenal supporters and players alike is one of confidence and realism. He is unequivocally certain that Myles Lewis‑Skelly will stay, he values the contributions of academy graduates like Zubimendi, and he acknowledges the need for honest dialogue about the future of certain squad members. While injuries and transfer decisions will continue to shape the season, the manager’s overarching goal remains clear: to build a deeper, more resilient squad that can compete at the highest level for an entire campaign, not just a handful of months.