Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted that the club may sell some long-serving players as it continues to reshape its squad.

Arteta said difficult decisions about players’ futures must be handled with honesty and transparency, particularly when a player no longer feels important or wants to pursue a new chapter in his career.

The Spaniard said such conversations were necessary despite the emotional difficulty involved, stressing that the club had a responsibility to make decisions that were best for the team.

He said Arsenal would maintain respect and admiration for players whose time at the club comes to an end, while recognising that football decisions ultimately had to be made.

Arteta also rejected the suggestion that Arsenal were simply a “bad selling club”, explaining that transfers depended on factors including players’ quality, contracts and willingness to leave.

He noted that there could also be situations where the club wanted to move a player on but the player was happy to remain at Arsenal.

“There are a lot of factors that have to be right when you have to sell a player,” Arteta said.

The manager said Arsenal’s growth in value, performances and revenues had increased the club’s capacity to operate without necessarily needing to sell players before making new signings.

Arteta also stressed the importance of keeping the squad deep enough to cope with the demands of the season, saying players needed to feel valued and receive sufficient playing time.

He particularly highlighted academy graduates, saying Arsenal needed to protect and develop players who had been raised within the club’s system because of the unique connection they had with the club.

Arteta confirmed that Myles Lewis-Skelly would remain an Arsenal player after the transfer window closes.

He also revealed that Arsenal were looking to strengthen their defence following William Saliba’s long-term injury and the absence of another defender.