Lewis-Skelly eyes midfield breakthrough at Arsenal

Myles Lewis-Skelly's path into Arsenal's first team has rarely been simple. Since breaking through during the 2024-25 season, the 19-year-old has developed rapidly, seizing his chance amid injuries to become one of the Premier League's most promising young left-backs.

That form earned him an England call-up, and in March 2025 he became the youngest player ever to score on his England debut, opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Albania. Months later, the Hale End academy graduate signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal.

Notably, left-back was never Lewis-Skelly's natural position. He came through Arsenal's academy as a midfielder and has always considered that his best role, even though full-back gave him his platform in the first team.

A tougher second season

Last season proved more challenging. Riccardo Calafiori returned to fitness, and manager Mikel Arteta brought in Piero Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, a move later made permanent. With two more experienced defenders ahead of him, playing time became scarce, and Arteta admitted he had been tough on the teenager.

A dip in Martin Zubimendi's form late in the season, however, opened a door — Lewis-Skelly was given a midfield role against Fulham with four games left. He impressed enough to start nearly every remaining match as Arsenal secured the Premier League title.

Looking ahead

As an academy product, any sale of Lewis-Skelly would represent pure profit for Arsenal on the balance sheet — a point the player himself referenced online after the title win. While the club had considered offers for him, his strong finish to the season in midfield may have prompted a rethink.

Arsenal are also closing in on a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, worth up to £80m, which could complicate Lewis-Skelly's path to regular minutes. Still, the World Cup's late conclusion means several rivals for his position — Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Zubimendi and Mikel Merino — have yet to fully rejoin the squad.

Lewis-Skelly impressed in pre-season friendlies against Girona and Real Betis, playing as the deepest midfielder and combining well with Calafiori. Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield in nine days' time.