Arteta Addresses Myles Lewis-Skelly Transfer Links After Goal Against Como

Myles Lewis-Skelly scored for Arsenal in a 1-1 preseason draw against Como before Bruno Guimarães made his debut in the shootout victory.

Arsenal secured a preseason victory over Italian side Como at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly provided the Gunners' lone goal during the 90 minutes, celebrating by making a heart sign to the crowd and tapping the club badge. Following the stalemate, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout where £75 million signing Bruno Guimarães converted his spot-kick to help clinch the win for the North London side.

Manager Mikel Arteta utilized the fixture to hand Guimarães his debut, introducing the Brazil international at halftime just four days after his move from Newcastle. The midfielder featured for 45 minutes despite having completed only three training sessions with the squad. In contrast, Lewis-Skelly started the match in central midfield before being substituted in the 62nd minute for Martín Zubimendi’s fellow Spaniard, Mikel Merino.

Arteta Responds to Transfer Speculation

Addressing recent reports linking Lewis-Skelly to Chelsea and Manchester United, Arteta dismissed concerns regarding the player's future. The Arsenal manager stated that interest from other clubs is a positive indicator that his players are attracting attention and performing well. The England international currently has four years remaining on the five-year contract he signed last summer.

Lewis-Skelly’s role in the squad has faced scrutiny after he served as the third-choice left back last season, falling behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapié in the depth chart. During that campaign, he was limited to just five Premier League starts. However, the teenager saw an increase in playing time toward the end of the term when he returned to his natural position as a central midfielder.

Midfield Depth and Squad Improvements

Despite Lewis-Skelly's resurgence, Arsenal’s midfield remains highly competitive following the arrival of Guimarães. The squad already boasts Declan Rice, captain Martin Ødegaard, and World Cup winners Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Merino. Arteta noted that Lewis-Skelly played as a No. 6 during the preseason due to a lack of available midfielders following international duty, praising the youngster for his consistency throughout the summer schedule.

Arteta confirmed his desire to further bolster the roster before the transfer window closes, emphasizing the need for quality and depth to defend their status as reigning champions. Last season, the club secured its first Premier League title in 22 years. The manager acknowledged that while the club is actively trying to improve the squad, successful deals depend on market conditions and external factors beyond the club's control.

Preparation for the Community Shield

Arsenal now shifts focus to Sunday’s Community Shield fixture against Manchester City. The match will take place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Arteta expressed satisfaction with the preseason progress, noting that the team managed to "tick a lot of boxes" despite the challenges posed by the World Cup and the absence of players on international duty.

Guimarães is expected to be available for the clash in Wales after pushing for minutes against Como to familiarize himself with the home supporters. Arteta described the new signing as a player who will undoubtedly make the team better as they prepare for the 2026-27 campaign. The Gunners will look to carry the momentum from their shootout win into the season's traditional curtain-raiser this weekend.