Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed his surprise at the recent performances of Myles Lewis-Skelly, particularly after deploying the 19-year-old in a midfield role. Lewis-Skelly initially broke into the Arsenal first team during the 2024/25 season as a left-back, even earning a call-up to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel.
However, the arrival of Piero Hincapie last summer pushed Lewis-Skelly down the pecking order, limiting his opportunities in domestic competitions. While he featured regularly in the Champions League, he made only three Premier League starts all season, and even endured a two-month spell without a league appearance between January and March. This lack of playing time led to speculation regarding his future, with several clubs reportedly interested in taking him on loan in January, though Arsenal ultimately allowed only Ethan Nwaneri to depart.
Recent weeks have seen a change in fortunes for Lewis-Skelly. Arteta unexpectedly deployed him in midfield during a recent match, and his performance was impressive enough to earn him a starting spot in the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. He played 74 minutes as Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League final, their first since 2006. This has prompted calls from fans for him to remain with the club and continue in his new midfield position.
Arteta praised Lewis-Skelly’s attitude and adaptability, stating he has been “exceptional” in training and has responded positively to being given a chance. According to Arteta, it has been “surprising” to see how easily Lewis-Skelly has transitioned to midfield, especially given his limited recent match practice. Arteta highlighted the importance of the player understanding the standards required at the highest level, both when playing and when not, and praised his determination and energy on the pitch. The change in form has potentially altered the player’s summer plans, with a loan move previously considered his preferred option, and a sale potentially generating profit for Arsenal.
