Myles Lewis-Skelly’s path to Arsenal’s first team has been anything but simple.
The 19-year-old surged forward in 2024-25, capitalizing on an injury-hit squad to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s standout young full-backs. That rise earned him an England call-up, and in March 2025 he became the youngest player to score on his England debut, netting the opener in a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley. A few months later, the academy product signed a new five-year deal.
Remarkably, left-back isn’t his natural role. A Hale End graduate who sees himself primarily as a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly used the full-back berth as a springboard to display the qualities that made him so highly rated: stepping into midfield seamlessly, shielding the ball in tight areas, and accelerating past opponents with elite explosiveness.
The following season proved more challenging. Riccardo Calafiori—signed for £42m in 2024—returned to fitness, bringing versatility and attacking flair, while Piero Hincapie arrived from Bayer Leverkusen, initially on loan before making the move permanent. With both defenders older and more experienced, opportunities were limited, and Mikel Arteta admitted he was “tough” on Lewis-Skelly.
When Martin Zubimendi’s form dipped late in the campaign, Lewis-Skelly finally got his midfield chance against Fulham with four league games left—and he seized it. His display earned him starts in all but one of the run-in matches as Arsenal clinched the Premier League title, though they fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.