At A Glance:
- Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal hangs in the balance.
- Manchester United are reportedly interested in the teenager.
- Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed the stance of the Gunners.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal, despite coming through the Hale End academy and bossing it against Real Madrid, is hanging in the balance after falling down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.
Reportedly, the 19-year-old is being eyed by Manchester United this summer – and the possibility of a move has been questioned.
The Red Devils are looking for a replacement to Luke Shaw and signing Lewis-Skelly could solve that issue, all while offering a different option in the engine room.
Read More: Arsenal: Report outlines Mikel Arteta’s tactical tweak which has limited Myles Lewis-Skelly’s minutes
2006-born Myles Lewis-Skelly made his senior Arsenal debut last campaign and made 39 outings in all competitions – but the Londoner’s game time has been restricted this time around.
Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal future hanging in the balance
Riccardo Calafiori is currently Arteta’s first-choice left-back and Piero Hincapie, whose deal is set to be turned permanent this summer, is the Italian’s back-up. But what does that mean for Lewis-Skelly?
The teenager signed a new long-term deal last summer after a rather impressive campaign – but he’s seldom featured for the Gunners.
In 2025/26, he’s chalked up just one (!) start in the Premier League and has 27 appearances across all competitions under his belt.
Such a lack of minutes under Arteta has led to speculation over where his future lies and the defender’s representatives have reportedly approached the would-be buyers to discuss a prospective deal.
Journalist Ben Jacobs provides update on Lewis-Skelly’s future
“They have made an informal inquiry on the player’s side to understand that,” journalist Ben Jacobs told the United Stand in an update on whether the left-back will be on the move to Old Trafford.
“I understand Manchester United like Myles Lewis-Skelly. Really difficult deal because Arsenal won’t necessarily play ball, but the player is prepared to explore options because he wants more minutes.”
“We had a link in January with Chelsea and it was the same, the players’ side are prepared to speak with suitors, with full respect for Arsenal, but they almost want that leverage with options,” Jacobs continued.
A deal is not necessarily off the table because Myles Lewis-Skelly is on the search for more game time – but the Gunners will hold out for a transfer fee that is really, really high.
“When I speak to Arsenal sources they basically say the only way a sale will happen is for something absolutely crazy. So if a club want Myles Lewis-Skelly on the club-to-club side they will likely have to overpay.”
It wouldn’t be wise for Arsenal to sell the youngster, would it?
On the surface, Lewis-Skelly is not a regular under Arteta and his departure would make sense to earn a pure profit from his sale. Remember: he is an academy graduate and his departure would result in pure profit.
But, in the event that he leaves the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners are losing one of the best left-backs in the division when he’s fit and raring to go.
It wasn’t too long ago that Lewis-Skelly was strutting around the Santiago Bernabeu, rubbing shoulders with seasoned professionals and looking at home while doing so.
A place in Thomas Tuchel’s 2026 World Cup squad has also looked certain at points but it’s likely that he’ll not even be on the plane at this rate.
Arteta’s preference for Calafiori and Hincapie is not a favourable situation for the Hale Ender – and he is understandably on the look-out for new opportunities. But a sale, in our opinion, would be unwise.
