Mikel Arteta has made it clear that he is absolutely certain Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be wearing the Arsenal badge when the summer transfer window finally shuts. The young midfielder, who featured in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain earlier this season, has attracted interest from a number of big clubs – Chelsea were mentioned in the early stages of the window and Manchester United have long been vocal admirers – yet Arteta’s message to the press before the opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City was unequivocal: "I am 100 per cent sure he will stay with us." During the pre‑match press conference, broadcast live on Sky Sports, the Arsenal boss elaborated on why he feels so confident about Lewis‑Skelly’s future.
He spoke about the special bond that exists between players who have come through the club’s academy and the North London side. "When a player has been nurtured in our system and feels that deep love and connection with the club, it adds a different dimension," Arteta said. "Those players bring a type of value that is incredibly hard to replace.
That’s why we must protect those assets, develop them properly and make them central to the club’s plans." Arteta also turned his attention to another home‑grown talent, Martin Zubimendi, who suffered a late‑season injury spell last term. The World Cup winner, despite missing a chunk of the campaign, was praised as one of Arsenal’s most important contributors. "Zubi was unquestionably one of our best performers last season," the manager asserted.
"Without his influence we would never have reached the position we found ourselves in over the past few weeks. Even though he missed a lot of games, the minutes he did play were crucial, and you cannot overlook the impact he had on the squad." The manager went on to defend Zubimendi against critics who pointed to his Champions League final appearance as a lone highlight.
"He played for ten months this season and helped us reach those finals. He deserves massive credit for that," Arteta explained. He described his conversations with the midfielder as frank and transparent, noting that Zubimendi is a very self‑critical professional who often pushes himself too hard. "He knows we have to raise the overall quality of the squad in every position, and he understands that we cannot repeat the pattern of over‑relying on one player for the entire season.
He’s already played 55 games, and at this level we need to manage workloads more wisely." When asked about the possibility of tough conversations regarding the future of certain squad members, Arteta acknowledged that the club is indeed facing a delicate moment. 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 very hard time and we have to confront the reality with honesty and transparency," the manager said. "Even if the truth is uncomfortable, it gives the player clarity about the next step in his career.
These discussions are never easy, but they must be held with respect and admiration for the individual." Arteta stressed that the size and depth of the squad are vital, especially after the injury crises that plagued Arsenal in several areas last season. "The deeper our squad, the better we can cope with setbacks. However, every player must feel valued and important," he added, underscoring the need for a balanced approach between squad size and individual appreciation. The conversation then shifted to Arsenal’s historic record in the transfer market.
The club’s most lucrative sale remains the £35 million fee Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain nine years ago. When pressed on whether Arsenal are poor at selling players, Arteta replied that the situation is not simply a matter of good or bad. "It depends on the players we have, their contracts, their desire to leave and the overall market conditions.
Sometimes you want to make a decision, but the player is happy and wants to stay. It’s a complex set of factors," he explained. Regarding the need to generate funds by selling talent, Arteta highlighted Arsenal’s recent growth in terms of on‑field performance, commercial revenue and overall club valuation. "No other European club has experienced the kind of increase we have seen in value, results and income," he said.
"Our strategy is to raise the level and capacity of the club dramatically, not merely to sell players to fund new purchases." The manager also addressed the fitness of new signing Bruno Guimarães ahead of the Coventry match. The Brazilian midfielder was withdrawn at halftime during the Community Shield win over Manchester City and was later seen with an ice pack. "We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.
He’s progressing well, but we’ll make a decision based on his condition," Arteta noted. When asked about the impact of the club’s £75 million midfield acquisition, Arteta highlighted the fresh energy and competition such signings bring. "New players give us something to prove and raise the standards across the board," he said, referencing the effect that other recent arrivals like Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier have had since joining. Finally, Arteta offered a hint of optimism about the possible involvement of another high‑profile recruit, defender Ezri Konsa, in the season‑opening fixture.
The £51 million defender from Aston Villa must be registered by noon on Thursday to be eligible. "I’m always positive and confident," Arteta said. "We cannot control every variable, but we are doing everything we can to make it happen. When everything is ready we will let the fans know." Overall, Arteta’s comments paint a picture of a manager who is determined to protect his academy graduates, willing to have difficult conversations when necessary, and focused on building a deeper, more resilient squad capable of competing on all fronts throughout the long Premier League season.