Mikel Arteta expressed his pride in Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly following the teenager’s outstanding performance in the Gunners’ 3-0 Champions League victory over AS Monaco last night. The 18-year-old midfielder has been gradually introduced to the first team, a testament to the club’s long-term commitment to nurturing his talent.
Lewis-Skelly has been on the cusp of breaking into the senior team since pre-season, and his progression has been closely monitored by the coaching staff. Arsenal recognises his immense potential and is easing him into top-level football to ensure his development is both steady and impactful.
Arteta, often criticised in the past for not integrating enough academy graduates into the first team, has made notable strides this season. His approach appears to be paying off, with players like Lewis-Skelly rising to the occasion and justifying the manager’s trust.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Arteta said, “Myles, a word for him, 18 years old to make his debut in the Champions League is a great highlight of the game. What I like about him is the positions he takes, how he penetrates with the ball. He’s one of our own. He’s 18 years old, and he has a bright future ahead, and he’s great. As a manager, and as a club, I think we have to be very pleased to see those young players coming through. It’s a nice feeling to be able to help somebody change his life.”
Lewis-Skelly’s performance has bolstered hopes that he can become a regular fixture in Arsenal’s midfield. His continued development could save the club from spending heavily on new signings in the future. With his impressive Champions League debut, the teenager has further solidified his place as one of Hale End Academy’s latest success stories.
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Imagine the lad in midfield instead of Jorginho
He did well. I think he is suited to the inverted left back role. That defense splitting pass he made yesterday is one of the advantages of the inverted fullback tactic. A traditional fullback would probably not pull that off.I thought he partned well with Declan in midfield. I’m looking forward to seeing him play in games that he’s tested more defensively.
The advantage of bringing Myles into the squad this early is that he can still be molded to play any role.A teenager’s role/position is not set in stone. This is something Wenger did so well and I’m hoping Arteta will help to mold Myles(and Ethan) into the best version of themselves,brick by brick.
Both MLS and Nwaneri have shown a lot of promise and have earned more playing time. They will make their mistakes, but they are surrounded with experienced players to help them.
It is now up to the manager to create opportunities and game time for them. So far they have shown they can play and be trusted on the pitch, they need a challenge in the form of tougher opponents to really test them now.
So far they have shown there is no need to further invest in 2 backup positions; LB and Creative midfield. With more opportunities they can become fine players who will eventually compete for first team starts in the future.
MLS is a midfield player and will never make it as a full back, inverted or conventional as he simply does not have the pace nor physicality needed for a defender in the EPL.He is a skilful intelligent midfielder, but fans should not get carried away on the basis on a good performance against fairly mediocre opposition.Nwaneri, on the other hand has the natural ability to become a “special” attacking midfielder and I expect him to prove his class as he gains experience.
I thought MLS showed he is physically capable. Before that pass he made,he had to shrug off a strong challenge like a seasoned professional. And I don’t think an athlete is fully physically developed at 18. There’s every reason to believe his physicality will improve.
To say that an 18 year WILL NEVER make it in a certain role is absurd. Footballers adapt to new roles even in their 20’s. Rice was a Centre Back in the academies yet became one of the best DMs in the world. Lauren and Toure were midfielders. Saka? Henry? Those who follow the Arsenal Academy know Myles has been training for the inverted LB role for a while now.
Monaco are third in their league and prior to Arsenal,they had lost only once in the Champions League. I wouldn’t call them mediocre.
With Partey able to talk to other clubs come January and if he doesn’t sign a new contract, we have two very promising players in MLS and Nwaneri to try in that role.
As Onyango says, they are both young enough to still be moulded into square pegs.
I’m not sure how many more “established” players we can sign up before the likes of these two become tired of waiting for their opportunities.
Ken, my guess is Rice will play the DM role if Partey leaves. EN will then step into to replace Rice and MLS will eventually play the inverted LB role, in the not to distant future.
That makes sense HD, but I hope, after season after season of watching Partey getting injured, he doesn’t do a “JUDAS” on us, but is offered and accepts a rolling contract, while the two mentioned youngsters are molded into the positions they will mske their own.
And where will Calafiori line up?