Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that some players could leave the club before the transfer window closes, while maintaining that his squad is in a strong position ahead of the new season. Speaking at his pre-Community Shield press conference, Arteta said Arsenal were prepared to explore opportunities in both directions as they seek to strengthen the squad. “It’s always the case; there’s an opportunity there to go both ways, and we’ll have to see how the market responds and what we as a club can do,” Arteta said, according to a statement published on Arsenal’s website on Saturday. The Arsenal boss said the transfer window provides an opportunity for clubs to assess their squads and make changes before the new campaign gathers pace. “It’s a very exciting part of the season, when a lot of things happen,” he said, adding “I think you create excitement; there’s an opportunity as well to evolve. There’s also a good way to understand what every player is feeling.” Arteta said Arsenal were working to ensure they were in the strongest possible position to compete for every available trophy. “We are trying the maximum that we can to end up in 14 days, 13 days in the best possible condition to compete for every possible competition,” he said. Arteta addresses potential departures Asked specifically whether Arsenal would need to sell players, Arteta acknowledged that some departures could happen. “We have certain possibilities that we can explore if the right possibilities come across,” he said. “But so far, with the numbers we have, we are happy; obviously, we need to accept that certain players will probably have to move.” Arteta declined to discuss reports linking Arsenal with specific defenders, including Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. “I’m not going to talk about any individuals obviously,” he said. “What I can tell you is the ambition of the club, it’s big, we want to improve the squad, we want to evolve the squad, and in order to achieve that, we have obviously detected some areas that can be strengthened. That’s what we are trying to do.” The Arsenal manager also suggested recruitment would depend partly on whether the existing squad can raise its level. “There is room there for sure, with the players that we have ourselves,” Arteta said. “I think elevating the quality we have, and elevating individual performance, has to be the main focus. If we cannot do that for whatever reason, then we have to think about recruiting.” Nwaneri future Arteta also discussed Ethan Nwaneri’s situation and said he wants the teenager to remain at Arsenal, but stressed that regular playing time would be crucial to his development. “I want him to be at the club, but in the middle, long term, what is best for the player?” Arteta said. “Ethan needs to play football, and if he stays here, it’s because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes. Otherwise, it’s just something that is not good for anybody, I think.” Arteta praised the progress Nwaneri has made, particularly after gaining experience abroad. “I don’t know the plans, but certainly he opens your eyes in terms of how much a young player can evolve in such a short period,” he said. “Work and experience abroad come with certain difficulties and challenges – what you can really get out of that, and I think he’s done it in a brilliant way.” “It’s unquestionable the talent, the desire, the love and the passion he has for the game. It’s something that I always loved about Ethan. I think he had some great games and he’s shown everybody that he has the ability to be here.” Rice, Saka available Arteta also confirmed Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and new signing Martin Zubimendi will be available for Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City. “They will be available; they trained with us today, they will train tomorrow, and if they are in the condition we expect them to be in, they will be involved,” he said. Asked about fitness concerns involving Rice and Saka, Arteta said Arsenal had not detected any problems. “We haven’t noticed anything,” he said. “They have individual plans from their time with the national team. They’ve been trying to evolve those issues and they have improved.” “In the rest period that they had, they both had specific programmes for themselves. They’ve been doing those and so far, what I saw the last two or three days, it was really good.” Timber, Saliba still out Arteta provided a more cautious update on defenders Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. “Jurrien is progressing really well, he is on the pitch,” Arteta said. “We are ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume and the load, and I think he is on a good trajectory, but there are still a few weeks to go.” On Saliba, he added: “Wilo, as we all know, it’s more a long-term injury.” Arteta said he was unsure whether Timber would return before the next international break. “I don’t know; we have to wait and see,” he said. “He needs to start training with the group in the next week or so, hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there.” “It’s been a long-term issue right now, and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one, he feels right to do that and he’s such an important player for us.”
