Arteta Warns Arsenal May Make Tough Decisions on Long-Serving Players

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that the club may have to make difficult decisions regarding the futures of some of its long-serving players as the Premier League champions continue to reshape their squad.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s league opener against Coventry City, Arteta said discussions about players’ futures must be handled with honesty, transparency and respect, even when the decisions are difficult.

He explained that while players may not always agree with what they are told, clear and truthful communication can help them understand their situation and make informed decisions about the next stage of their careers.

Arteta also stressed that there comes a point when a player may no longer feel important to a team or may want to pursue a new challenge.

“These are always very difficult conversations, but they need to be done,” the Arsenal boss said.

He added that both the club and the player must be willing to communicate openly when their respective ambitions no longer align.

According to Arteta, Arsenal’s responsibility is to ensure that when a player’s time at the club comes to an end, the process is handled respectfully and professionally.

He rejected the suggestion that Arsenal are simply poor at selling players, explaining that transfers depend on several factors, including a player’s ability, contract situation and personal desire to leave.

Arteta noted that the situation can become complicated when the club wants to make a change but the player is happy at Arsenal and wants to remain.

“There are a lot of factors that have to be right when you have to sell a player,” he explained.

The Arsenal manager also dismissed the idea that the club must necessarily sell players before making further signings.

He pointed to Arsenal’s growth in terms of sporting performances, commercial value and revenue as evidence of the club’s increased financial capacity.

Arteta said Arsenal had significantly increased the level and capacity of the club, meaning they could take a different approach to squad building compared with teams that depend heavily on player sales.

Despite the possibility of departures, Arteta said he wants Arsenal to maintain a strong and competitive squad throughout the season.

He stressed that players need to feel valued and important, adding that regular playing time is essential to achieving that.

Arteta Praises Academy Players
Arteta also highlighted the importance of players who have developed through Arsenal’s academy.

He said homegrown players often have a special emotional connection with the club and can provide a value that is difficult to replicate through transfers.

The manager said Arsenal would continue to protect, develop and maximise the potential of its academy players whenever possible.

Arteta also confirmed that Myles Lewis-Skelly would remain at Arsenal after the transfer window closes.

Asked directly whether Lewis-Skelly would still be an Arsenal player, Arteta responded: “100%.”
Arsenal Seek Defensive Reinforcement
Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal are looking to strengthen their defence following William Saliba’s long-term injury.

He said the club had identified a specific need in the defensive area and was actively working to bring in another defender.

Arteta indicated that Arsenal would announce any new signing once the necessary arrangements had been completed.

Arsenal’s Longest-Serving First-Team Players
Although Arteta did not identify the players whose futures could be under consideration, Bukayo Saka is currently Arsenal’s longest-serving first-team player, having made his senior debut in November 2018.

Fellow academy graduate Reiss Nelson is also among the club’s longest-serving players, having been involved with the senior squad since 2017, despite spending periods away on loan.

Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal in July 2019 and is the club’s longest-serving external signing among the players highlighted.

His compatriot Gabriel Magalhães has also been an important member of the squad since arriving from Lille in August 2020.

As Arsenal prepare for another demanding Premier League campaign, Arteta’s comments suggest that maintaining squad balance could require difficult decisions, even involving players who have spent many years at the club.

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