Myles Lewis-Skelly will be in an uncomfortable position regarding his Arsenal future come the summer, and it’s imperative that he and Mikel Arteta make the right decision to ensure he continues developing.
The teenager enjoyed a meteoric rise during the 2024/25 season, bursting onto the first-team scene out of nowhere and establishing himself as the Gunners’ first-choice left-back. Making 39 appearances across all competitions, Lewis-Skelly’s heroics at club level earned him a regular place in Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up.
However, the Hale End graduate has experienced a classic case of second-season syndrome this term, falling behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie in the pecking order. Now limited merely to cup outings, Lewis-Skelly is at something of a crossroads in his career – and Mikel Arteta’s latest transfer decision does not help his cause.
Piero Hincapie’s imminent permanent deal threatens Myles Lewis-Skelly
Many were concerned for Lewis-Skelly after Arsenal opted to bring experienced defender Hincapie to the Emirates at the eleventh hour in the summer transfer window. These concerns have subsequently been validated, with the 19-year-old relegated to third choice in the left-back hierarchy.
Reports this week may exacerbate these fears regarding Lewis-Skelly’s role in N5. Arsenal are expected to make Hincapie’s deal from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, with Arteta and Andrea Berta intent on activating the £45 million buy option included in the initial loan deal.
Hincapie has been excellent for the Gunners recently, and thus it’s no surprise that Arteta is keen to pounce on the opportunity to extend the player’s stay beyond this season. Calafiori has also enjoyed an outstanding campaign when he’s been fit.
18 – Myles Lewis-Skelly is the second youngest Englishman to start in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final (18 years, 194 days), after Jude Bellingham in 2021 (17 years, 281 days). Entrusted. pic.twitter.com/KWQEEHlo7H
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 8, 2025
If the deal for the Ecuadorian does materialise, Arsenal will have invested a combined £78.6 million on the two left-sided defenders. Given that both players are under the age of 25, this signals that the Gunners have made long-term arrangements in locking down this side of their defence for several years.
This leaves Lewis-Skelly somewhat redundant at left-back. While minutes won’t entirely evaporate for him on this side, he’s unlikely to forge a regular role for himself in this position in the long-term at Arsenal.
This raises serious questions about how he will continue his development moving forward, and whether he can become an indispensable member of Arteta’s squad in the future.
Myles Lewis-Skelly needs to target a position change at Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly was raised as a midfielder, and it might be time for him to make his case for being used in the middle of the park at the senior level.
While Arsenal have two young left-backs ahead of the England international, the future of the Gunners’ midfield is a lot less certain. Mikel Merino and Christian Norgaard will both be over the age of 30 in the summer, and thus, aren’t likely to be long for Arsenal. Meanwhile, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze are all 27.
| Lewis-Skelly’s Statistics 2024/25 (Premier League Only) | |
| Appearances | 23 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90.3% |
| Progressive Passes per 90 | 4.85 |
| Passes into the Final Third per 90 | 4.77 |
| Fouls Won per 90 | 3.08 |
| Dribbled past per 90 | 0.0 |
Arteta’s midfield cohort are all entering the latter stages of their peak years, while no young players are developing under them, ready to take the mantle moving forward. This is a squad vacuum that Lewis-Skelly can fill.
Boasting slick passing and exceptional carrying ability, the youngster has all the attributes needed to thrive in midfield. It’s a position that is open for a young player to establish themselves in Arsenal’s squad, so he has to take this opportunity if, and when, it eventually comes.
