Why Moving on to New Pastures Might Be Best for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly
As the 2026/27 football season approaches, Arsenal is buzzing with preparations for the Community Shield clash against Manchester City, a traditional opener that sets the tone for the new campaign.
Manager Mikel Arteta has been active in the transfer market, impressively securing the talents of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, bringing Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, and finalizing the permanent transfer of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Future at Arsenal
Arteta’s quest for squad enhancement continues, particularly as he seeks a quick left winger, with Bradley Barcola reportedly among the potential targets. Despite clinching the league title last season—their first in 22 years— and a valiant run in the Champions League that ended in a final defeat, Arteta is not one to rest on past achievements. The drive for consistent improvement dictates that certain players may find their opportunities elsewhere.
Key departures have already occurred with Leandro Trossard moving to Besiktas, Jakub Kiwior to Porto, and Christian Norgaard signing with Everton, but these players are likely just the tip of the iceberg. Among the unexpected exits could be 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arteta’s Praise for Lewis-Skelly
Not long ago, Arteta expressed admiration for the promising teenager, stating, “He plays with full belief, with a lot of commitment, he’s got the qualities that we want in his position, to play outside, to play inside. Defensively, he’s a really strong player and where we want him. When a player is like this, I don’t care if he’s from the academy or whatever, we need to give him the opportunities, and he’s earned the right to play these games.”
However, since that endorsement towards the end of 2024, Lewis-Skelly’s status at the club has drastically shifted, resulting in limited visibility on the pitch. Out of his 36 appearances across all competitions last season, only 15 were spent on the field for the full 90 minutes. In the Premier League, he managed to complete just four matches, all the while having recently inked a new contract that binds him to the club until June 2030.
Challenges Hindering Lewis-Skelly’s Progress
A tackle success rate of 57.89%—one of the better percentages within Arsenal’s squad during the 2025/26 season—might appear commendable at first glance. Yet, with only 19 tackles recorded throughout the season, this shows a stark contrast to teammates achieving above 70% with higher engagement levels. Similarly, the 13 interceptions and 19 clearances reflect a relative lack of influence on matches, along with a mere 72 recoveries of possession.
The young talent did display promise in one-on-one situations, winning 102 out of 183 duels for a solid success rate of 55.74%. Nevertheless, this performance didn’t suffice to secure regular playing time, leaving many to wonder about his future.
Interest from Manchester United and Chelsea
For reasons that remain unclear, Arteta has kept Lewis-Skelly primarily on the sidelines. Recent reports indicate that the Gunners have made the player available to both Manchester United and Chelsea, signaling a possible end to his time at Arsenal. With his capability to perform not only as a left-back but also as a defensive midfielder, Lewis-Skelly could bring valuable versatility to either Premier League giant.
Considering Chelsea’s hefty spending of approximately £270 million so far, Manchester United may now be seen as the frontrunners for Lewis-Skelly’s signature.
Arteta’s Demands for Commitment
The dilemma arises as to whether Lewis-Skelly wishes to remain in North London to battle for his position, or if he has resigned himself to the fact that a year after believing he had a promising future at Arsenal, he’s now likely to face limited impact there. This scenario reflects the relentless nature of modern football, where the relentless quest for instant success leaves little room for sentiment.
While Arteta’s decision regarding Lewis-Skelly may seem harsh, it is essential to understand the high expectations that accompany clubs aiming for consistent success. Should the manager feel that Lewis-Skelly has fulfilled his role, his judgment is deserving of respect, likely to be scrutinized only if Arsenal falters in the upcoming season—a scenario Arteta is determined to avoid at all costs.
With a writing background that includes a position at Flashscore since 2025, Jason Pettigrove leverages Opta data to produce in-depth pieces. His experience spans various notable football clubs and media outlets, both in print and online, and he can typically be spotted cheering for FC Barcelona during downtime.
