In a Sky Sports Q&A feature, one Arsenal fan asked what the reaction would be if both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly were sold. Sky’s Sam Blitz said there would be concern among the fanbase.
Nwaneri
Blitz said Mikel Arteta would love for Nwaneri to stay around, but his game time may be limited. The attacking midfielder didn’t make the Community Shield matchday squad, which wasn’t a great sign. Arsenal had a decision to make, according to Blitz: sell or loan Nwaneri. A sale would be better for the books, and could mean there’s more budget for incoming attackers.
A second loan for Nwaneri is an option, and could raise Nwaneri’s value if Arsenal were to sell him later. But there was hope among many fans in the summer and last season that the young attacker had a future at the club. As Blitz noted, when Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze hit their early 30s, Nwaneri will only be in his early 20s.
There’s also Max Dowman’s progression to consider. Keeping Nwaneri could mean less game time for Dowman.
In 2024-25, Nwaneri made 11 league starts for Arsenal, and a further 15 appearances as a substitute. That was the year that fans got excited about his talent. Nwaneri scored four Premier League goals, three in the League Cup, and another two in the Champions League – a competition that the online betting odds again suggest Arsenal have a good chance of winning in 2026-27.
Last season wasn’t what fans expected after that breakthrough year. In 2025-26, Nwaneri made a combined 15 league appearances for Arsenal and Marseille (12 of those were off the bench). But he is still only 19.
Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly leaving would cause a “very intense” reaction from Arsenal fans, according to Blitz. The academy graduate is already an important player for Arteta’s team and was trusted in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid, receiving a standing ovation for his performance.
That crucial game was only the 19-year-old’s second start in midfield, having mostly played as a left-back for the senior team. He also played left-back on his England debut, earning man of the match and scoring the opening goal against Albania in 2025.
Lewis-Skelly was expected to be part of Arsenal’s squad for years. He provides a range of skills not many midfielders do: he’s defensively aware, left-footed, and capable of carrying the ball forward. Lewis-Skelly also plays progressive passes more often than some of Arsenal’s safer options. His versatility has proved useful and would continue to be as Arsenal compete in four major competitions.
Jack Wilshere, who witnessed Lewis-Skelly’s talents when he was serving as under-18s head coach, said the then-16-year-old player was doing “things you can’t coach”. Lewis-Skelly has since made 23 and 20 Premier League appearances in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, respectively.
Many of those were off the bench, but that arguably points to Lewis-Skelly’s range of attributes: Arteta knows he can depend on him in a range of match scenarios. If Arsenal need a calm passer when they’re keeping the ball when seeing out a game, Lewis Skelly is a good option. He is, too, when Arsenal need to progress the ball through midfield quicker.
