Mikel Arteta has left no room for doubt: Myles Lewis-Skelly is going nowhere. The Arsenal manager stated with complete certainty that the young midfielder will remain at the club when the transfer window shuts on 1 September.

Asked directly whether Lewis-Skelly would still be an Arsenal player after the deadline, Arteta offered a single, unambiguous word — "100%" — before elaborating on the deeper value that academy-raised players bring to the club.

A special bond with the supporters

Arteta was then pressed on why it matters so much for homegrown players to thrive at Arsenal, particularly given the emotional connection they forge with fans. The Spaniard was emphatic.

"The players that have been raised in our system – and they feel generally that love and that connection with the club – bring something else. There's no question about that."

He continued: "We need to look after them in a really special way because they bring value that is very difficult to find. That's why, when we can, we want to protect those assets as much as possible, develop them and make them extremely important for the club."

Interest from Premier League rivals

Lewis-Skelly's future had attracted considerable speculation in recent weeks, with reported interest from other Premier League clubs. Arsenal have also been working to sustain their self-funded model, exploring player sales as a means of raising revenue.

Despite that financial backdrop, Arteta's message on Lewis-Skelly was unequivocal — the academy graduate is part of the club's plans, and no offer will change that before the window closes.