Arsenal chief executive Richard Garlick has admitted that the club would consider selling academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly if the right opportunity arose, though he stressed they are not actively looking to offload them.
Garlick's Comments on Potential Transfers
Speaking to BBC Sport, Garlick said: "There's been a lot of speculation around players. I can't stop other clubs being interested. I think Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and has started this one really well - we're very, very happy with him.
"Ethan has had a great pre-season as well and I think it's just a case of looking at what opportunities there are that will help both of those in terms of their career moving forward. We are not actively looking at selling those homegrown players but if the right opportunity came up - right for them and the club - we'd obviously consider that."
Competition for Places at the Emirates
Arsenal boast one of Europe's best squads, which has been strengthened this summer by the arrivals of Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis. This has pushed some players down the pecking order. Nwaneri, who was first given an opportunity by Mikel Arteta in 2022, has had to be patient for his chances. He signed a long-term deal but spent last season on loan at Marseille.
Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, has been offered to Chelsea and Manchester United, but did start for Arsenal in Sunday's Community Shield win. Both players could be moved on if the right offer comes in.
Manager's Hints and Player Minutes
Arteta has hinted at a potential departure for Nwaneri this summer, saying: "I want him to be at the club but something is in the medium-long term what is best for the player as well. Ethan needs to play football and if he stays here it's because we can guarantee that he can have those minutes."
Last season, Nwaneri failed to start a single Premier League game, making just six substitute appearances. Lewis-Skelly made 20 appearances, but only five of those were as a starter. The arrivals of Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Guimaraes in successive summers have impacted Lewis-Skelly's hopes of forcing his way into a midfield role, while Nwaneri has seen the likes of Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Tzolis signed by Arteta since his debut. Max Dowman has also emerged from the youth system.
