At A Glance:
- Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal remains uncertain.
- Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a move for the 19-year-old.
- His latest display for England Under-21s has Arsenal fans talking.
Much has been made of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s situation at Arsenal: Mikel Arteta has rarely used the Englishman this season with Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of him in the pecking order.
His future at the Emirates Stadium, as a result, is hanging in the balance as we near closer to the summer transfer window.
According to reports, Manchester United are in the race for his signature as they look for a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw.
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In fact, it has been reported that Myles Lewis-Skelly – who has played 66 times for his boyhood club since graduating from Hale End – has been offered to the Old Trafford outfit via intermediaries.
Fan reaction to Lewis-Skelly’s England masterclass
Although Arsenal minutes have been restricted for the 19-year-old this season, Lee Carsley still decided to call him up to England’s Under-21s squad.
He started at left-back in his nation’s 1-1 draw with Andorra Under-21s on Friday 27 March and then started again in their 4-1 victory over Moldova four days later – and he certainly impressed.
Footage of his all-rounder display has emerged: he was comfortable on the ball, driving into space when it opened up and he was also alert to loose balls in and around the engine room.
Myles Lewis-Skelly thrived in his hybrid role (which you can witness for yourself below) and it’s sparked reaction from the Arsenal supporters.
“Please Arsenal, do not attempt to sell this boy,” one wrote in response to the clip as another pleaded with Arteta by saying: “Arsenal can’t afford to let Myles Lewis-Skelly go to Manchester United.”
The common consensus from the Emirates Stadium faithful is that letting him move on would be a grave error.
“The obvious question here: why hasn’t he been given a chance in midfield? We’ve been crying out for a ball-carrying midfielder?”
“Arsenal will have a massive hater in me if they sell this kid. What a talent,” another added as a fifth supporter wrote: “Top midfielder, can play the number 8 role. We are wasting him at left-back.”
For the Gunners, the London-born star has played 27 times (equating to just 1,298 minutes) this season and will no doubt be frustrated at his lack of game time in a trophy-chasing campaign.
Can Arsenal afford to lose Myles Lewis-Skelly?
Earlier this month, reports suggested that Lewis-Skelly – alongside Martin Odegaard and Ben White – was among the first-team players at risk of being sold because of Arsenal’s hefty expenditure last summer.
Losing Lewis-Skelly at the end of the season would not be monumental given that Calafiori and Hincapie are decent options at left-back.
But his youth – combined with his enviable talent – means that he could be the club’s starting left-back, or midfielder, for years to come.
Selling him would result in pure profit because he emerged through their academy ranks, which could entice Arteta into letting him move onto pastures new. A loan move (as a result) could be a logical outcome.
