Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed full confidence that teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly will remain with the club through the end of the transfer window.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has stated he is "100 per cent" confident that Myles Lewis-Skelly will remain at the club following the close of the current transfer window. The teenager, who started in Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in May, has been the subject of transfer links to Chelsea and Manchester United.

Academy Players and Squad Management

Arteta emphasized the importance of retaining players developed within the club's academy system, noting the unique value and connection they bring to the team. He stated that the club must protect these assets and develop them into key contributors. Regarding potential departures, Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of making decisions about players such as Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Ethan Nwaneri, but stressed the need for honesty and transparency in these professional relationships. Arteta expressed a desire to maintain a large squad to mitigate the impact of potential injuries, citing challenges faced in previous seasons. He noted that while the club is working on individual situations with players, the goal is to ensure everyone feels valued and important while balancing the need for a deep squad.

Transfer Strategy and Market Performance

Addressing criticism regarding Arsenal's history of selling players, Arteta rejected the idea that the club is inherently poor at selling. He explained that player departures are influenced by numerous factors, including contract status, player desire to stay, and the specific options available. He pointed out that Arsenal has seen significant growth in value, performance, and revenue, and that the club's approach has been to increase its overall capacity and level. Regarding the club's financial strategy, Arteta noted that the necessity to sell players to fund new acquisitions depends on the club's sporting success.

Injury Updates and New Signings

Arteta provided an update on midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who was substituted at half-time during the Community Shield victory over Manchester City after being seen with an ice pack on his leg. The manager stated that Guimaraes is recovering well, but his availability for the upcoming Premier League opener against Coventry remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the club is working to register new signing Ezri Konsa, who is expected to join from Aston Villa in a £51m deal. Arteta expressed optimism that the registration process could be completed in time for Konsa to feature in the opening match.