Myles Lewis-Skelly, a U-18 stud left-back from Arsenal’s academy has signed a new long-term deal with the club. This thrilling news is a big achievement in his emerging career. This commitment comes after a breakout 2022-23 campaign in which he established himself as an integral cog in Mikel Arteta’s well-oiled machine. Lewis-Skelly, who made 39 appearances last term, has quickly established himself as a vital member of the squad since breaking into the first team in December.
The young defender’s performances last season were nothing short of sensational. Even when making big defensive contributions, he showed off his attacking prowess. In February, he netted his first goal helping participate in a historic 5-1 rout against Manchester City. His ability to dominate play both in and out of possession has made him a must-watch player at Arsenal.
A Stellar Rise
Lewis-Skelly’s ascent through the Arsenal ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. Once he entered the club’s academy, he showed the promise and drive to prove himself at every step. It’s an indication not only of his offensive ability, but his defensive prowess. Last season, he was dribbled past just one time in 1,370 minutes in the Premier League. On top of that, he completed a staggering 93.55 percent of his passes, good for seventh-best among all Premier League players.
His hard work paid off and he deservedly received a call-up to the England national team shortly after. In recent fixtures against Albania and Latvia under manager Thomas Tuchel, Lewis-Skelly continued to impress, further solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest young talents in English football.
In reflecting on his growth, Lewis-Skelly stated, “I know I’ve taken a lot of experience from the games about the positive moments, the mistakes that I’ve made. I’m definitely more ready now for the next season. I just want to keep learning and keep improving.”
Commitment to Legacy
Upon signing the new contract, Lewis-Skelly took to Twitter to share his goals for the upcoming year – and beyond. He has always made much of his intention to leave a long-term legacy at Arsenal. “I want to win everything there is to win in the game. I want to win trophies on the biggest stages whilst being a person that’s always learning and stays grounded,” he said.
He opened up about what humility has meant on his journey, particularly as he’s still learning how to be a player. I’ve taken the values learnt from Hale End, and returned. I’ve still got a lot of years ahead of me, so if I can keep staying humble and being a good person, that’s the most important thing to me,” he added.
Lewis-Skelly’s commitment to growth and success aligns with Arsenal’s long-term vision for nurturing young talent. What’s more, his exciting partnership with former academy teammate Ethan Nwaneri should bode well for the future on both club and country levels. Have to say both players are developing nicely into the first team.
Looking Ahead
Now that his new contract is in the bag, Lewis-Skelly can look forward to playing a big role in Arsenal’s quest for success during the season ahead. His high ranking in duel success last season exemplifies his competitive spirit and willingness to embrace challenges.
Even though he got two red cards last season, one of which was rescinded, his value to managers is clear. The coaching staff envisions him as a foundational piece of a winning team to come.
As he turns his focus toward next season, Lewis-Skelly is unapologetic in his desire to be a better player and teammate.
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