Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that some players may have to leave the club to secure regular opportunities and feel valued.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Coventry City, Arteta confirmed that Myles Lewis-Skelly remains part of the club’s plans beyond this season.
He also addressed the prospect of difficult decisions over players linked with exits, including Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri.
“It’s a really, really tough moment. We need to face that reality,” Arteta said.
“But you have to face it with a real honesty and transparency. When you’re on the other side, it’s exactly what you need.
“You might not like what you’ve been told, but if it’s truthful, if it’s the reality and honest and make you make better decisions and have more clarity for the next step in your career, you have to do that. These are always difficult conversations. But they need to be done.
“Without talking any specifics, it is something we are working on with every individual. I want to have the squad as big as possible because we know what we’re fighting for, we learn again from the past. Especially last year when we had injuries in two or three areas of the pitch.
“The deeper squad we have, the better. But the players have to feel valued and feel important.”
