Mikel Arteta has made it crystal clear that he believes Myles Lewis‑Skelly will still be an Arsenal player when the transfer window shuts. The manager’s confidence was evident during a pre‑match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City, broadcast live on Sky Sports.
When asked whether he expected the teenage midfielder to stay, Arteta answered without hesitation: “One hundred per cent.” The certainty comes after a summer of speculation linking Lewis‑Skelly with several top clubs. Chelsea’s name surfaced early in the window, and Manchester United have long been admirers of the young talent. The 18‑year‑old made his mark by starting in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in May, a performance that only heightened interest in his future.
Yet Arteta’s remarks suggest the club is determined to keep him within the fold. Arteta expanded on his view, emphasizing the special bond that develops when a player rises through the club’s academy. “The youngsters who come through our system and feel that love and connection with the club bring something different,” he said. “There’s no doubt about that.” He added that protecting and nurturing these home‑grown assets is a priority, noting that their intrinsic value is difficult to replace.
“When we can, we must safeguard them, develop them further, and make them central to the club’s plans,” the manager explained. Another academy graduate, Martin Zubimendi, is also expected to stay on Arsenal’s books.
The Spanish midfielder, a World Cup winner with Spain’s youth teams, missed the tail end of last season due to injury, but Arteta praised his contributions. “Zubi was undoubtedly one of our best performers last season,” Arteta said. “Without his influence we would never have reached the position we enjoyed in the final weeks.” He highlighted Zubimendi’s importance despite limited minutes, stressing that the player’s impact over ten months was crucial to the team’s success in both domestic and European competitions.
The manager also spoke candidly about the need for honest conversations regarding player futures. Names such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri have been linked with possible moves away from the Emirates. Arteta described these talks as “tough but necessary,” insisting that transparency and respect are essential when discussing a player’s next step.
“You may not like what you hear, but if it’s truthful it helps everyone make better decisions and provides clarity for the next phase of a career,” he said. He underscored that every squad member must feel valued, especially as Arsenal aim to build a deeper roster to avoid the injury crises that plagued them last season. When pressed about Arsenal’s historic record of player sales, Arteta noted that the club’s biggest transfer fee received remains the £35 million Liverpool paid for Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain nine years ago. He refused to label Arsenal as either good or bad at selling players, pointing out that the decision to sell depends on a range of factors, including contract situations, the player’s desire to leave and the club’s broader strategic needs.
“It’s not a simple equation,” he remarked. “Sometimes a player wants to stay, and that influences the outcome.” Regarding the club’s overall transfer strategy, Artetta highlighted Arsenal’s remarkable growth in recent years. “No other European club has seen the same increase in value, performance and revenue that we have,” he asserted.
While some clubs must sell to fund new purchases, Arsenal’s approach has been to raise the overall quality and capacity of the squad, rather than simply off‑loading talent for cash. The manager also addressed the fitness of new signing Bruno Guimarães ahead of the opening league fixture. The Brazilian midfielder was withdrawn at halftime during the Community Shield triumph over Manchester City and was later seen with an ice pack on his leg.
Arteta said, “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. He’s progressing well, but we’ll make a decision based on his condition.” Arteta praised the impact of recent high‑profile acquisitions, including the £75 million midfielder, saying that fresh signings inject new energy and competition into the squad. He referenced the effect of players such as Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier, noting that their arrival raises standards for everyone.
There is also optimism surrounding the potential debut of defender Ezri Konsa, who is set to join from Aston Villa for a reported £51 million. For Konsa to be eligible for the Coventry match, his registration must be completed by noon on Thursday. Arteta expressed confidence, stating, “I’m always positive and confident.
Some things are beyond our control, but we’re doing everything we can to make it happen. When we have news, we’ll share it.” In summary, Arteta’s message to Arsenal fans is one of assurance and ambition. He believes that key academy products like Lewis‑Skelly and Zubimendi will stay, that difficult conversations about player departures are being handled with honesty, and that the club’s transfer policy is focused on sustainable growth rather than short‑term profit.
With a deeper squad, new signings bringing fresh dynamism, and a clear commitment to nurturing home‑grown talent, Arsenal aim to build on their recent successes and contend on all fronts in the upcoming season.