Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he is absolutely certain Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be wearing the Arsenal shirt when the summer transfer window shuts. The Arsenal manager was asked before the season‑opening match against Coventry City whether he believed the teenage midfielder would be allowed to stay, and he answered without hesitation: "One hundred per cent." Lewis‑Skelly has been a hot topic all summer.
After impressing in Arsenal's run to the Champions League final in May, the 18‑year‑old drew interest from several top clubs. Chelsea were linked with a possible move early in the window, and Manchester United have long been admirers of his technical ability and composure on the ball.
Despite the external speculation, Arteta insists the club’s academy graduates are a priority and that protecting home‑grown talent is essential to Arsenal's long‑term strategy. "The players who come through our academy have a special bond with the club," Arteta explained at the press conference. "They feel a love and connection that you can't buy. Those youngsters bring a unique value that is extremely hard to replace.
When we have the chance, we must safeguard those assets, nurture their development and make them central to the team's future." The manager also highlighted another academy product, Martin Zubimendi, who overcame a late‑season injury to contribute significantly last term. Zubimendi, a World Cup winner with Spain at youth level, was described by Arteta as "one of the best performers for Arsenal last season". He argued that without Zubimendi's contributions, the Gunners would not have reached the positions they occupied in the final weeks of the campaign.
"We knew that without his involvement we would never have achieved the level we displayed over ten months," Arteta said. "Even though his minutes were limited toward the end, his impact was undeniable.
Some people point to the Champions League final and say he only played that game, but he was a key figure throughout the season and deserves a lot of credit for our success." Arteta recounted several face‑to‑face conversations with Zubimendi, emphasizing the midfielder's honesty and self‑discipline. "He is very demanding of himself, sometimes to a fault, and he understands the need to raise the squad's quality across every position," the manager noted.
He warned that the club cannot repeat the previous season's pattern of over‑reliance on a single player, noting that Zubimendi logged 55 appearances last term. "Now he must consider how to maintain his standards for an entire campaign, not just a handful of months," Arteta added. When asked about the possibility of parting ways with certain members of the squad, Arteta acknowledged 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 is a tough moment and we have to face reality with honesty and transparency," Arteta said. "Even if the truth is uncomfortable, it helps everyone make clearer decisions about the next steps in their careers." He stressed that these discussions must be handled with respect, noting that every player deserves to feel valued and important.
"When a contract or a situation ends, our duty is to manage it in the best possible way, with admiration for the individual and the relationship we have built," he explained. Artetta added that the club aims to keep the squad as deep as possible to avoid the injury crises that plagued them last season, especially in three key areas of the pitch. Regarding Arsenal's historical record of player sales, Arteta dismissed the notion that the club is either good or bad at selling talent. The most notable departure remains Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain, who left for Liverpool for £35 million nine years ago.
"It's not about being good or bad; it's about the circumstances surrounding each player," Arteta said. "Factors such as contract length, the player's desire to leave, market demand and the club's financial position all play a part." He also addressed the broader financial strategy, stating that Arsenal's growth in value, performance, and revenue over recent years is unprecedented in European football.
"We don't need to sell players simply to fund new signings; our approach is to raise the club's level and capacity sustainably," Arteta remarked. Injury updates were also discussed. The Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who was substituted at halftime during the Community Shield win over Manchester City and was seen with an ice pack, remains a question mark for the opening league fixture. "We will see how he feels tomorrow.
His recovery is progressing well, but we will make a decision based on his fitness," Arteta said. The manager praised the impact of new signings, particularly the £75 million acquisition of a midfield talent, noting that fresh arrivals inject energy and competition into the squad.
"When you bring in players like Christos Tzolis or Illan Meslier from day one, it lifts the overall standard and gives everyone something to prove," he explained. Looking ahead, Arteta expressed optimism about the potential involvement of another recent signing, defender Ezri Konsa, who joined from Aston Villa for a reported £51 million. Konsa must be registered before noon on Thursday to be eligible for the match against Coventry.
"I am always positive and confident," Arteta said. "We cannot control everything, but we are doing everything we can to get the paperwork done and have him available. When everything is finalized, we will let the fans know." Overall, Arteta's message to the Arsenal faithful is one of confidence and clarity: the club is committed to protecting its home‑grown talent, reinforcing the squad with strategic signings, and handling any necessary departures with dignity.
As the new season kicks off, the Gunners aim to build on the progress made last year, avoid past pitfalls, and continue their ascent in English and European football.