Photo: SonoGrazy / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta held a post-match press conference following the club's 1-1 pre-season draw with Como at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, with a penalty shootout win of 4-3 also secured ahead of Sunday's season opener against Manchester City.
Several players returned from World Cup duty to feature for the first time in pre-season. Myles Lewis-Skelly opened the scoring in the first half, while new signing Bruno Guimaraes was among the penalty scorers on his debut.
On the value of the fixture, Arteta said: "It was a really good test. It was a bit tricky today because obviously we play a final on Sunday, so to manage the minutes of the players and not expose them too much after playing three days ago, it wasn't easy."
Arteta declined to address transfer speculation around Lewis-Skelly, but acknowledged the 20-year-old's strong pre-season form. "If there is speculation about our players, it's a good sign – that means our players attract attention and are doing a good job," he said.
The Arsenal head coach singled out 16-year-old academy product Marli Salmon for particular praise. "He played with courage, and secondly, how fast he learns – he picks things up really quickly – he's a really smart boy, he really wants it, and some of his individual actions today were exceptional."
On Ethan Nwaneri, who returned from a loan spell at Marseille, Arteta noted a clear development. "He looks different, a lot more mature – it's incredible what six months and a different experience abroad can do to you."
Guimaraes, who has had only three training sessions since joining, pushed for minutes against Como. Arteta confirmed he remains a doubt to start on Sunday. "We'll have to see. He's only had three training sessions, but he looked good. He's a player that will make us better, without a doubt."
On further transfer activity, Arteta confirmed the club is actively pursuing additions but offered no guarantees. "There is more that we want to do – the will and the desire of the club is unquestionable, but we cannot promise that we're going to do it because it doesn't only depend on us."