Mikel Arteta speaks on Arsenal's transfer plans

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that the Gunners cannot afford to sell their star players in order to raise funds for new arrivals.

The north London side have been hampered financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and it has been suggested that their spending could be limited.

Furthermore, it has been reported that any transfer funds may have to be generated from player sales and the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could head for the exit door.

However, speaking in a press conference, Arteta said that the club are putting their plans together for the summer and obviously don't want to lose their best players to reinforce the squad.

"Obviously we are putting different plans together to see what we are going to be able to do. At the moment the uncertainty is still big," He told.

"But if you ask me, we cannot be a team that has to sell his best player to try to bring in and improve our squad. That's for sure."

London rivals Chelsea have been active in the transfer market with the purchases of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner and they are expected to continue their spending spree.

On the other hand, the Gunners have yet to make any signing for next season, but they have been heavily fancied to sign Thomas Partey, who has a £45m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.