Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus remain "important" to Arsenal despite not being picked for their Community Shield squad, Mikel Arteta said.
Arsenal beat Manchester City 3-0 in the traditional curtain-raiser on Sunday, before beginning their defence of the Premier League title against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.
But with only nine substitutes allowed on the bench in the Community Shield, Arteta couldn't find a spot for Brazil duo Martinelli and Jesus, raising questions about their future with the Premier League champions.
But Arteta insisted they would stay, telling TNT Sports: "Yes, they are all very important for us."
He added: "It's really sad not to have their ability. I have been fighting with the Premier League to extend [the squad], to accommodate more players.
"It's always tough. They deserve to be in the squad, there is no question. Ethan [Nwaneri], as well. Marli [Salmon], as well, has had a hot preseason with us.
"Hopefully we can change that rule, and players can be an option to play, and contribute to the team as much as possible."
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Arteta picked newcomer Christos Tzolis on the left wing, with Noni Madueke on the right, against City. His attacking substitute options were Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres (who all came off the bench to feature in the second half) and Max Dowman.
Martinelli was the subject of a €45 million ($51.8m) bid from Galatasaray last week, sources told ESPN. Arsenal have also let Leandro Trossard head to Besiktas.
They explored a move for Real Madrid's VinÃcius Júnior, who has now signed a new contract at the Spanish giants.
