Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly has discussed overcoming a challenging season with limited playing time and his recent successful transition into a new position, potentially impacting his future at the club. The 19-year-old experienced a breakthrough campaign last year, even earning call-ups to the England senior squad under Thomas Tuchel.
This season, however, Lewis-Skelly found himself largely sidelined following the arrival of Piero Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal expected to become permanent. The Ecuadorian international quickly established himself as the first-choice left-back, pushing Lewis-Skelly down the pecking order. He made only one Premier League start by mid-April and went two months without any league appearances between January and March.
A change in tactical approach from Mikel Arteta saw Lewis-Skelly deployed in his preferred midfield position two weeks ago, a move that has revitalized his Arsenal career. With Martin Zubimendi showing signs of fatigue, Arteta gave the youngster an opportunity against Fulham, and Lewis-Skelly impressed enough to retain his place in the starting eleven, including a full 90 minutes in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid and the recent Premier League match against West Ham.
Arteta admitted he was “surprising” by how seamlessly Lewis-Skelly adapted to midfield after a period on the bench, praising his attitude and training performance. He highlighted the importance of the player understanding the standards required at the highest level, both in and out of the team. “He’s given us every sign to think that when we were going to give him the chance, he was going to respond in the manner that he’s done it,” Arteta stated.
Lewis-Skelly himself emphasized his focus on securing silverware with Arsenal, dismissing transfer speculation. “I am focused on the games that we have got coming up – and bringing this club back to glory,” he said. He described a simple conversation with Arteta before the Fulham game: “He told me, ‘You are going to play midfield, so go for it.’ So, that is what I did!” He acknowledged the initial difficulty of limited playing time, but credited his mental strength and support from family and friends for helping him navigate the situation.
He revealed he asked his inner circle to shield him from external noise and social media speculation, allowing him to concentrate on improving and seizing his opportunity when it arrived. Lewis-Skelly believes in always preparing as a starter, recognizing that chances can arise unexpectedly. His recent performances have provided a timely boost for Arsenal as they push for both the Premier League title and Champions League glory.
