Ahead of Arsenal's away match against Aston Villa in the second round of the Premier League, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attended a press conference to answer media questions. The following is the second part of the press conference.

Hello, Mikel. With players leaving, it's obviously sometimes a difficult time. How do you have these conversations? Do you choose a specific time or a specific way to talk, especially when both sides have deep emotions?

I mean, I try to be as clear and transparent as possible. I try to convey the message as it is and make them understand the reasoning behind what I'm saying. So yes, if I've been with a player for six years and sent him 500 positive messages, and one day I have to send him a message that might not be so pleasant, I think that ratio is pretty good. So I hope they value everything they've done for the club and for me personally. If the ratio is 499 to 1, then the one unpleasant message obviously won't affect my opinion of that player.

As we just discussed, you emphasized that players must genuinely want to stay at Arsenal and that Arsenal is their desired destination. Does this mean that for truly top players, no matter the circumstances, you will have the urge to persuade them and sign them at all costs?

Persuade... I don't know if that word is accurate. Obviously, we will explain to them our position, what we are doing, how we expect this player to integrate into our club and tactical style, and what his role will be in the team. I think that's indeed the case. Everyone—and those players usually don't come alone, they come with their team, whether it's family or the staff they work with. So I think the entire life and work circle behind the player must be considered, and everyone around them must also feel that this is the right step.

Does it frustrate you sometimes when the club's plans have to be put on hold while waiting for other deals to progress in the transfer market?

No. I mean, we haven't really encountered such a situation. In the final hours, a deal either goes through or it doesn't. But I feel we are really privileged because players are really eager to join Arsenal.

Hello, Mikel. Do you think the Martinelli deal can be finalized before we speak to you again on Monday? He's been with the team since you arrived here. I think only he and Bukayo have been with the team since you took charge. When you have conversations with him, can you share your feelings and experiences?

Martinelli is an Arsenal player, that's it. I don't think I should comment further on this. I understand the question, but now is not the time to talk about it.

Finally, regarding Ngoyo, it's obviously a wonderful twist of fate that his debut might be against his old club. In this situation, would you have concerns about playing him, after all, it's his former club? Would that be a factor?

No. Well, if I saw something abnormal in this player, perhaps I would have doubts. But what I've seen from Ezri since day one, knowing his character very well, and combining all the feedback I've received from everyone who has worked with him, this is not something I'm worried about.

You are obviously facing a very different Aston Villa. They have sold quite a few players, partly to comply with financial rules. In general, what are your thoughts on these financial rules? Do you think they are good for the league overall?

Well, I'd rather not get into that area. I feel I have enough on my plate already without having to delve into that topic, because it's very complex. I think there are people more professional than me and more knowledgeable about the details to comment on these things.

Finally, regarding the transfer market, you've obviously been consistently linked with a forward whose name keeps coming up. How do you reassure and manage the forwards you currently have? Do they just have to accept that this is part of life at this type of club?

Very simple. Whatever you read, if you have doubts, come knock on my door and I'll tell you if it's true or false. Because in any position, if we were to list all the players we've reportedly wanted in the past three months, I think we'd need the walls of the entire building to fit them all. So I think they know there's a lot of speculation about many players. If they have doubts about our opinion of them or whether we plan to recruit new players in that position, I'll tell them immediately.

Have you done that before?

No, usually I would. If we plan to sign someone in their position, I usually tell them. This is the plan and why we made it. We tell him: we still trust you one hundred percent, but competition for the position will increase. I prefer to deal with it this way.

Hello, Mikel. I know specific player names have been mentioned in the transfer window, but if you were to sum it up, how would you like to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes? What kind of signings do you hope to complete in these final few days?

Can we discuss this topic after the transfer window closes? Because the transfer window is not closed yet.

So, if no other players are brought in before the deadline and no new signings are added, would you be satisfied?

Today I am satisfied. I hope that when the window closes, I will be even more satisfied, because that will mean we have already won against Villa and we are in the best possible situation.

This might be a question you've been asked in previous seasons, but when you look at the current squad and dressing room, do you think this is the best squad you've had since you started managing Arsenal?

This is the best squad we currently have, or the best squad we believe we can assemble at the moment, and that's it. It won't be the best squad a month from now, because hopefully by then players will improve, the team will improve, and we will get better.

Hello, Mikel. You've achieved 3-0 victories in both of your first two matches of the new season, including the Community Shield and last week's league game. But as defending champions, do you now feel that other teams will look at you completely differently, just as everyone views Guardiola's Manchester City?

I don't know. I don't know how other teams will react. I think we need to be very clear about what we want. I think we are very clear in how we approach each game, and then we need to prove day by day that we deserve to be where we are now.

Hello, Mikel. It seems like there might be more players leaving on the attacking front. Given the return of Ødegaard and Merino, does this change your view on where Eberechi Eze fits into the team's tactical landscape? Is there space for us to see him play more on the wing?

The best thing about our team is that many players have extremely strong versatility and can play and excel in different spaces and positions. Eze is one of them. He can play on the left wing, left attacking midfield, or right central midfield, and he can perform excellently in all these positions. So yes, we will see some adjustments depending on different opponents and the personnel within the team, allowing players to play in different positions. This is very necessary, and I think it is also a valuable asset for our team.

I know there's a lot of talk about potential new attacking players joining. But how much weight do Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Kai Havertz, and Bukayo Saka, who all seem to be back to full fitness now, carry in your considerations? In your opinion, does this reduce the necessity of bringing in another attacker?

I think this is a very natural reaction, because we always want more. It might seem that it would be better if we signed new players, but we already have many very good players in our team. We are always looking for opportunities to bring in new players, striving to become stronger and to complement the qualities that are missing in the squad. But as I always say, the most essential task is to focus on the players we currently have, because they are already excellent.

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