Myles Lewis-Skelly’s lung-busting dribble deserves a knighthood
Arsenal have an agreement in place to tie Myles Lewis-Skelly down to a scholar contract and it’s easy to see why the club rate him so highly.
Mikel Arteta has built this new Arsenal side around their young stars and he has been more than willing to give the youngsters a go. After all, Arsenal have the youngest side in the league right now.
Lewis-Skelly is still in the early stages of his development, but the early signs have been hugely promising. The 18-year-old has made a name for himself in the Under-18s this season with a series of impressive performances.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal have agreed scholarship terms with Lewis-Skelly, as his existing contract was due to expire in the summer.
Across various youth groups, he has played 12 matches this season and has produced five goal contributions so far. His output has been impressive, but it’s only when watching him that you realise the talent he possesses.
Jack Wilshere knows all too well about being the new hot prospect coming through the Arsenal academy and the Under-18s coach has been impressed with Lewis-Skelly’s natural ability.
“There are some things that you see from Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Bradley Ibrahim, Jimi Gower — they do things you can’t coach,” Wilshere told The Athletic.
“That’s why they’re at Arsenal. They need a few things tactically. I like my midfielders to be on the half-turn, play forward and touch forward, dribble if you can.
“We had some moments of brilliance when Myles drives, when Ethan’s on the half-turn, when Amario Cozier-Duberry’s one-v-one. If we can get more of those then we’ll be all right. You see it tonight, even though it was Reuell Walters at centre-back. When you drive forward it just changes the picture.”
His strength and natural ability to drift away from defenders is something that could take him right to the top. Try your best to stop him, but Lewis-Skelly is finding a way through.
Moving like Myles 😮💨#AFCU18 | #FAYouthCup pic.twitter.com/oHDBdg4dPB
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) February 23, 2023
Lewis-Skelly is a holding midfielder who already has composure beyond his years. His eye for a pass and ability to drive forward with the ball makes him a gem.
An unnamed youth coach at Arsenal told VAVEL last year: “At the moment, we’ve got two under 16’s where if I had to pick out a top ten of all the players I’ve known of in 30 years of being at Arsenal these two would be in my top ten, they’re outstanding.
“One is a boy called Myles Lewis-Skelly and the other is Ethan Nwaneri, and my biggest worry about them is if we can keep them because I would say all the biggest clubs in the country will be sniffing around trying to get them.
“These two boys are absolutely outstanding, and I would go as far as to say that if they’re not given a chance in the first team in 2-3 years then we’re all guessing!”
If he continues to develop at his current rate then there’s no doubt that Arsenal have a star on their hands for the future. We can’t wait to see what’s next for the youngster.
READ MORE: Marquinhos’ debut golazo shows he’s the reincarnation of Ian Wright
TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every player to wear No.9 for Arsenal in the Premier League?