Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 12:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signing Mikel Merino will be out “for a few weeks” with a shoulder injury suffered in training: “Very unfortunate. Yesterday he had a collision and he has a shoulder injury. He landed on the floor and Gabi [Gabriel] landed on top of him and it looks like he has a small fracture probably.”
Gabriel Jesus will miss Saturday’s match but is “progressing really well” in his recovery from a groin injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also unavailable with a longer-term knee problem.
Arteta refused to be drawn into talking on reported target Raheem Sterling, saying: “You know that I cannot talk about another player.” He also refrained from commenting on Eddie Nketiah, who is reportedly close to a move to Crystal Palace: “When that happens, we can talk about that.”
On potential deadline day activity: “There are still a few hours to go. We are prepared. Let’s see, it’s always possible. In the last 24 hours of the transfer window never rule out anything.”
Arteta paid tribute to outgoing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale: “Thank you so much for what he’s done for the club, for the team and for myself. He brought a lot of joy and charisma and was really good when he joined.”
On Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto, who is set to replace Ramsdale: “It’s clear that we have lost Karl [Hein] and Aaron so we have to replace them both.”