Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has suggested he may have erred in not giving more minutes to teenage midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly this season, following the player's impressive first league start in a 3-0 win over Fulham. The 19-year-old's performance has cast fresh doubt over a potential summer move to Manchester United, who have been linked with a swoop for the England youth international.
Arteta's comments came after Lewis-Skelly started alongside Declan Rice in central midfield, delivering a composed display that helped Arsenal maintain their Premier League title challenge. The manager admitted he had been "tough" on the player this season and praised his humility and focus during a period of limited opportunities. "I knew he was ready," Arteta said, according to post-match reports. "He's been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He's done it and today he really stepped up."
When pressed on why it took until May for Lewis-Skelly to get his chance in his preferred midfield role, Arteta offered a surprising reflection. "Because probably I don't have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier, I don't know," he said. The Spaniard described the selection as a "big risk" given the player's lack of minutes and the high-stakes nature of the match, but said he had a feeling it was the right game for him.
Lewis-Skelly broke into the first team last season as an emergency left-back, earning plaudits and even a call-up to the England senior squad. However, the summer signings of Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori have limited his involvement in that position this term. His pathway in midfield has also been congested, with the arrival of Martin Zubimendi and the consistent form of established players keeping him largely on the bench until this weekend.
This context fueled speculation that Lewis-Skelly could seek a move away, with Manchester United reportedly monitoring his situation closely. Reports last month suggested Arsenal could seek a combined fee in the region of £100 million for Lewis-Skelly and fellow academy product Ethan Nwaneri, who is currently on loan at Marseille. Arteta did not explicitly state that the player is not for sale in his comments, leaving his future somewhat open.
For Manchester United, under the sporting direction of INEOS, Lewis-Skelly represents the profile of young, homegrown talent they are keen to attract. His potential availability had been viewed as a significant opportunity, but his reintegration into Arteta's plans and the manager's public praise could complicate any approach. The immediate impact for Arsenal is a timely boost to their squad depth as they compete on two fronts, with a Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid looming.
Lewis-Skelly's performance against Fulham may have served a dual purpose: proving his readiness for the Premier League run-in and simultaneously increasing his value, whether to his current club or any potential suitors. The coming months will determine if this display marks a permanent turning point in his Arsenal career or simply enhances his appeal in a summer transfer market where his name is already circulating.
