Arteta demands ‘desire and ambition’ for title defence and says Lewis-Skelly will stay

• Champions’ manager says team ready for long marathon

• Arteta 100% confident Lewis-Skelly will remain at club

Mikel Arteta has called on Arsenal to prove they have the desire to defend their Premier League title on the eve of the new season and insisted Myles Lewis-Skelly would not be leaving in this transfer window.

Arsenal face Coventry in their opening match on Friday night as they attempt to retain the championship for the first time since the 1930s. Arteta’s side have won 17 of their last 18 matches against promoted teams and have not been beaten at the Emirates by one since November 2010 – a run of 45 matches.