Arteta Confident Lewis-Skelly Stays; Arsenal Squad Overhaul Looms — SkimNews
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- Mikel Arteta declared himself "100 per cent" confident that academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly will stay at Arsenal, despite Chelsea making an enquiry earlier this summer and Manchester United being long-term admirers of the teenager.
- Lewis-Skelly started Arsenal's Champions League final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in May, and Arteta emphasised that academy-raised players "bring something else" that must be "protected."
- Arteta acknowledged that "brutal" honest conversations are needed with players who may leave, naming Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, and Ethan Nwaneri as those linked with moves away.
- Arsenal have not sold a player for more than £35m since Liverpool signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain nine years ago, and Arteta pushed back on the idea they are a "bad selling club," blaming factors like player happiness and contract length.
- Bruno Guimaraes is a doubt for the Premier League opener after coming off at half-time in the Community Shield win over Manchester City with an ice pack on his leg, though Arteta said the issue is "evolving really well."
- Ezri Konsa is set to join in a £51m move from Aston Villa, and Arteta was hopeful the defender could be registered by Thursday's 12 noon deadline in time to face Coventry.
Why it matters: Arsenal's squad management is in sharp focus as the Premier League opener approaches. With Guimaraes racing to be fit and Konsa (£51m) potentially registering just in time, Arteta is simultaneously defending academy gems like Lewis-Skelly and acknowledging tough sales decisions on Martinelli, Jesus, and Nwaneri, while their record sale remains a £35m deal from nine years ago.
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