Lewis-Skelly’s Pre-Season Performance and Speculation
Myles Lewis-Skelly, a 19-year-old midfielder for Arsenal, has been a prominent figure in the club’s pre-season preparations. He opened the scoring in a 1-1 draw against Como at the Emirates Stadium, a match that also saw Arsenal secure a 4-3 win on penalties. His performance has led to discussions about his role in the upcoming season, especially with several midfielders returning late from World Cup duty and new signing Bruno Guimaraes integrating into the squad.
Reports indicate that Manchester United and Chelsea have shown interest in Lewis-Skelly. One source suggested he was offered to Manchester United in January, though Arsenal maintains they have not actively offered him to any club. Manchester United is reportedly in need of a left-back, a position Lewis-Skelly played in his breakthrough season, and also has a third midfielder position under debate. Chelsea, despite having two left-backs and not competing in Europe this season, also reportedly received an offer for Lewis-Skelly, which Arsenal denies making. Chelsea already has six central midfielders, making a move for Lewis-Skelly unlikely without significant player sales.
Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future at Arsenal has been a topic of discussion since he reportedly moved down the pecking order last season, behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, as the club’s third-choice left-back. However, his strong end-of-season resurgence in his natural central midfield position, coupled with his pre-season form, may have prompted a re-evaluation of his status.
Manager’s Comments and Squad Dynamics
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, spoke about Lewis-Skelly’s emotional reaction to scoring and acknowledged that speculation around players is a positive sign, indicating they are attracting attention. Arteta highlighted Lewis-Skelly’s consistent pre-season, noting he played in a different position due to the absence of other midfielders on international duty. The manager also praised Marli Salmon, a 16-year-old who has shown courage and a quick learning ability, and Theo Julienne, who performed well at right-back in a challenging test.
Arteta also commented on Ethan Nwaneri, who has shown maturity after a loan spell in Marseille, and Bruno Guimaraes, who made his debut in front of the home crowd. Guimaraes, having had three training sessions, is expected to improve the squad. The manager emphasized the club’s desire to improve the squad further in the transfer market, acknowledging the difficulties in securing players who can significantly enhance quality and depth.
Arsenal invested heavily in the transfer market last summer, bringing in eight players for £250m, and have spent over £100m in the current window. The club has sold Christian Norgaard to Everton for £7m and Leandro Trossard to Besiktas for approximately £15m. Lewis-Skelly, as an academy graduate, would represent ‘pure profit’ in the club’s accounts if sold, a fact he is reportedly aware of. However, new Squad Cost Ratio rules mean any sale of a player will be spread evenly over three seasons, impacting the immediate financial boost to the club’s books.
Looking Ahead to the Community Shield
Lewis-Skelly has expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal and become a first-team regular. Despite the arrival of midfielder Guimaraes for £75m from Newcastle United, the prospect of numerous matches could still provide Lewis-Skelly with the game time he seeks. Arsenal is preparing for the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday, following a pre-season that Arteta believes allowed the team to address many aspects, despite the challenges posed by the World Cup.
The club is actively looking to sell some squad members before the transfer window closes, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli potentially available if suitable offers are made. Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson are reportedly not part of Mikel Arteta’s plans. The team is aiming to be ready for the upcoming match on Sunday.
Source: arsenal.com
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