There was a time, not so long ago, when Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere were fighting for a place in the Arsenal ‘engine room’ under Arsène Wenger. Now it is the first who has used an ‘invention’ of the second: Myles Lewis-Skelly (Islington, 9-26-2006).
Wilshere, former Arsenal youth coach, was the one who converted him from a midfielder to an inverted full-back (left). “It’s going to help him. If we look at our first team, see Zinchenko, and how football is evolving, the full-back has to play inside,” the now Norwich assistant coach, who reached the final of the FA Cup under 18 in 2023 thanks to a goal from Skelly in the 121st minute of extra time against City.
Arsenal’s losses in defense (White, Tomiyasu, Calafiori and Zinchenko) and Arteta’s lack of confidence in Tierney and Kiwior have caused Lewis-Skelly to become strong as ‘3’. In the victory against Monaco (3-0), without going any further, he became the sixth youngest footballer (18 years, 2 months and 16 days) to make his first start for Arsenal in the Champions League.
Arsenal 3-0 Monaco: summary and goals | Champions League (J6)
“I wanted to dedicate a few words to Myles. He is one of ours and seeing him make his debut as a starter in the Champions League at the age of 18 is a joy. There are many things I like about him: his courage, his positioning, the way he penetrates with the ball …He is someone we can trust,” Arteta stressed.
There are many things I like about Myles: his courage, his positioning, the way he penetrates with the ball… He is someone we can trust
Mikel Arteta
More young people to start for Arsenal in the Champions League
Cesc Fàbregas (17 years, 5 months and 17 days)Aaron Ramsey (17 years, 10 months and 11 days)Jack Wilshere (17 years, 11 months and 9 days)Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (18 years, 1 month and 14 days) Alex Song (18 years, 2 months and 14 days)Myles Lewis-Skelly (18 years, 2 months and 16 days)
His consecration, however, came in the recent narrow victory over Ipswich (1-0). The English under-19 international – he could play for Barbados – completed a 10-game match by drying out Omari Hutchinson: he completed 58 of the 59 passes he attempted, won nine duels, made two dribbles, created two scoring chances, was fouled three times… “He doesn’t look like he’s 18,” says Jamie Carragher.
Passes and chances generated by Lewis-Skelly compared to other full-backs in the major leagues.Driblab
Participation in Expected Goals and percentage of completed crosses by Lewis-Skelly compared to other full-backs in the major leagues. Driblab
“His qualities match our way of playing”
Arteta, once again, highlighted his versatility – he can act as a pivot and as an interior – and quality: “I love his personality. He is not afraid when he catches the ball. His qualities match our way of playing. He is a player who can give us a lot.”
He is not, however, the only one Skelly has conquered. Bukayo Saka has a special bond: “He has a bright future. He just has to keep the same mentality. He always asks questions seeking to learn.”
One step further, if possible, was Declan Rice: “He can be a ‘top’ player. He is a special boy, very special. He is only 18 years old and he is so good, so strong… it seems like he had been designed in a laboratory! He has a long way to go, but I told him the other day: ‘It’s surreal how good he is.’