Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas says the Ligue 1 club are ready to keep their best players, amid Arsenal's ongoing efforts to sign Houssem Aouar.
The Gunners are desperate to add a creative central midfielder before the summer transfer window shuts on Monday, with Aouar the club's number one target.
An opening bid for the Lyon captain was rejected last week, but Arsenal remain in talks with an improved offer thought to be imminent.
Aulas previously set a deadline of Friday evening for all potential Lyon departures and admitted that Aouar could be among them if a club meets the midfielder's asking price.
But with Arsenal yet to make a breakthrough in negotiations, Aulas took to social media on Saturday to hint that the Gunners' hopes could be fading as Lyon strive to keep their best players at the club.
"Complicated situation for [Lyon coach] Rudi Garcia before OL-OM [Lyon vs Marseille]," he tweeted in response to a report from L'Equipe, which claimed Lyon would let Garcia leave at the end of his contract.
"Stop saying we won't go beyond (his current deal) with Rudi [Garcia] it is not the truth.
"We make a very strong team by keeping our best players and we will judge on the results!"
Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash against Sheffield United on Sunday, Arteta said he was confident the Gunners would do all they could to land their key targets.
“I am very confident with what we are trying to do internally," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
"The clarity from everyone in the club most importantly to get balance in the squad."
Referring to the Aouar negotiations, he added: "I’m afraid I can’t give any update.”
When asked whether he would be happy if Arsenal failed to add to their squad, Arteta said: “I am very happy because the way we are acting around the market and the squad, the link between myself, Edu and the board is really good.
"After, in a deal you have three or four parties involved but I’m really happy with the link at the moment.
"We are trying our maximum, full support from the owners. With what we have, believe me, we will try our best.”
