Introduction: Update of Lewis Skelly at Arsenal
The academy at Arsenal has always been a haven for young stars. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have recently proved that Hale End is capable of churning out Premier League heroes. Another one of the recent hopes to cause ripples is Myles Lewis-Skelly. The midfielder has already been touted at the age of only 17 as a player who will be capable of fitting into Arsenal’s first team. But what his current status is in the club is exciting and walking on thin ice.
Who Is Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly is a talented midfielder that plays best through his vision, technical skill, and liveliness. He can play centrally or as a holding midfielder. What is most impressive about him is how mature he is at such a young age. Coaches and scouts have been known to comment on how he controls the pace of a game, reads forward passes, and claims the ball straight away.
His flexibility is a plus. To either play deep or go as far as to link with forwards, Lewis-Skelly has the qualities of an accomplished midfielder. That is why Arsenal fans cannot wait to see him play competitive football.
Arsenal’s Current Midfield Picture
The Lewis-Skelly combination is Arsenal’s powerhouse midfield. They already possess Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, and Fabio Vieira. It’s a battle for positions, and young players struggle to gain playing time under such circumstances.
At the same time, Mikel Arteta also believes in youngsters and never failed to rely on academy kids in the past. Saka and Smith Rowe are the examples that if a player is good and consistent, then he can get his chance even in the strongest team.
Recent Developments Around Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal
He has trained with the first team on several occasions, a reflection of how much the coaches rate him. There are still, however, discussions on whether he should remain with the first team as an impact relief or be loaned out for regular minutes.
Loan transfers have already benefited some of Arsenal’s young talents. Folarin Balogun’s loan stint, for instance, gave his career a boost, while others got exposure at English lower league levels. For Lewis-Skelly, a loan offers assured playing time, but remaining at home offers the opportunity to learn under Arteta’s system up close.
Why Arsenal Needs to Approach This with Care
Junior players require the appropriate level of chance and tolerance. They destabilize through overexposure at a very vulnerable age, and restraint can make them frustrated, hence looking for substitute offers elsewhere. The challenge faced by Arsenal with Lewis-Skelly is how to strike a balance between giving him the sense of belongingness and guarding his future development.
That is the sort of atmosphere that would be ideal for Lewis-Skelly. How his development will be fashioned is if he is given more Premier League minutes, is exposed to domestic cups, or is sent out on loan.
The Fans’ Perspective
Arsenal fans enjoy it when youngsters from the academy get into the first team. It makes them feel like part of the community and a proud one at that. Fans are already demanding Lewis-Skelly be given his opportunity.
But fans also know that not everyone who joins a team is an overnight sensation. Patience is called for by all, and most understand that progress comes slowly. Reality must correct hype about Lewis-Skelly.
Author’s Opinion
In my view, Arsenal would have Myles Lewis-Skelly in the senior team this season. Regardless of whether he gets a little or no game time, learning from the top players and from Arteta will benefit him more than a short-term loan. The team should gradually adapt to him, possibly with Carabao Cup and FA Cup matches, and offer him the occasional Premier League match.
Lewis-Skelly has all the ingredients to make it at Arsenal. It is just how they treat his situation that will be revealed. If they show him a little love, he can quite easily be the next Hale End grad to prove himself an indispensable member of the squad. The talent is there—it just needs channeling the proper way.
