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Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal transfer window may end unfinished amid Lewis-Skelly response Mikel Arteta has not instilled confidence that Arsenal will end the transfer window strongly following a third pre-season clash without victory Arsenal’s clash with Como brought about plenty of discussion points, particular in the midst of a summer transfer window. Despite failing to win for the third game in a row this summer, there was far less being read into the game itself, which was likely affected by the lack of several key starters in the eleven. Mikel Arteta selected one of his youngest ever teams with Max Dowman, Marli Salmon, Theo Julienne, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all starting. But there was spark and fizz in the first half where in the second half this became complete dominance as more senior members were introduced. But an issue of a lack of clinical finishing was the main bug bear. Arsenal could and should have won this game at a canter, and like against Borussia Dortmund this could have ended a very different score – thankfully it seems the rustiness against Real Betis though has subsided. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page But there was many threads on the night which centred around the futures of current players, and also about who might yet join the side this summer. Bruno Guimaraes made his debut following the £75million move from Newcastle United and impressed in his second half showing; playing some great passes but crucially adding defensive guile to the midfield. Ethan Nwaneri had his best game. He was lively and had a keenness to find his teammates with some cute backheeled passes. I asked Arteta about his performance and also crucially if there was any decision yet to be made on his future. But, and what would become a theme of the post-match press conference, he was unable to give much concrete clarity. “He's been really good,” Arteta said. “Probably what happened on the field, on his loan in Marseille, wasn't what was expected. “There was a lot of noise and change around the club. But he looks different. He looks more mature. He's incredible at that. “It's what six months can do to you. It's a different experience on board to be on your own, to go through tough times and just to witness that there's another part of football that you have to be good enough to cope with. I'm very happy with what he's done in pre-season.” Plenty of praise but nothing to say he will definitely be part of the squad this forthcoming season. He regularly began answering questions before they were finished being asked, specifically when it came to questions of transfers. But the back and fourth over Myles Lewis-Skelly was a little strange. Asked about the emotion the 19-year-old showed in his celebration, Arteta, having double-checked the question was about the “goal-scorer” responded to the question flatly. “Ah, emotional?” Arteta clarified. “It's good to score a goal, you should be emotional when you score a goal.” Pushed further on Myles’ heart gesture and the tapping of the badge on his shirt Arteta said, “It's a very emotional player, I remember when he did all the gestures on the pitch, so I'm not going to talk about any speculation. “If there is a speculation about our player, it's a good sign. That means that we attract attention and they're doing a good job.” There is no doubt that there was emotion in the celebration from Myles Lewis-Skelly. This was a pre-season game, and the messaging was obvious, his heart is with Arsenal and these were not the actions, in my view of a player that wants to leave. We exclusively broke the story that Chelsea had been approached regarding their interest in the player at football.london. The response following further reports corroborating the story has been significant and a lot of love has been sent the way of Lewis-Skelly. I sincerely hope that when the window slams shut both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly remain Arsenal players. The idea of losing one or both this summer would be very concerning. And hearing Arteta’s answer did not fill me, personally, with confidence that he definitely will be here next season. The player wants to stay, and the question remains why therefore club sources at both Chelsea and Manchester United have confirmed that they had been approached about the player. Lastly however, is the discussion of incomings. Arteta was asked by my colleague Ryan Taylor whether he was happy with where the squad is at and whether he would like to do more. “Well, there is more that we want to do because every time we have an opportunity to improve the squad and bring more quality and depth to the squad, we need to do that,” he said. “But we are actively trying to do so. “The thing in the market, it doesn't just depend on you and we are very clear on that. “But the approach, the will and the desire of the club, that's unquestionable and we want to try to do that. But we cannot promise that we're going to do it because, as I said, it doesn't only depend on us.” It is that last line, the lack of a promise. It didn’t need to be included but it’s presence in Arteta’s answer, the assurance of no assurance if you like, will not be reaffirming concerned supporters that reinforcement is coming in attack. football.london understands Arsenal have received an offer from Galatasaray for Gabriel Martinelli. Whether the player would be open to take what would be a considerable step down remains unclear but is believed to be a challenge with this deal becoming reality, as is the offer the club have received. But more so is the idea of allowing Martinelli to leave after seeing Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior choose different paths, it leaves the Gunners with a big question mark who should they sign in attack. There are eight days left until the start of the season, and still far too many unanswered questions about this title-winning side’s end goal for the window.