Myles Lewis-Skelly has almost exclusively played at left-back for Arsenal in his brief senior career so far, but Mikel Arteta has hinted that may not always be the case.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal arrives prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on November 10, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Myles Lewis-Skelly has made his breakthrough into the Arsenal first team this season, making six appearances for the Gunners already in 2024/25.
As usual for a player his age, the majority of his minutes have come in the League Cup, but the 18-year-old has also made two cameo appearances in both the Champions League and the Premier League.
Playing at left-back, Lewis-Skelly has even come on ahead of much more senior left-backs like Oleksandr Zinchenko at times. He’s clearly caught Mikel Arteta’s eye, and he’s starting to reap the rewards.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on September 25, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Yet those that follow the Arsenal academy will be aware that left-back isn’t Lewis-Skelly’s primary position. Though he certainly can play there, and has done for the academy at times, he’s more often been used in midfield.
Arteta answered a question on Lewis-Skelly’s position in Friday’s press conference, admitting there are a few different options.
“That’s an option (to play Lewis-Skelly in midfield),” Arteta admitted. “He can play in three different positions, he can play as a holding (midfielder), he can play as a left attacking midfielder so yes, [there are] gaps for him.”
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri in first-team training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
Lewis-Skelly’s current spell on the left is likely in part to help him develop the defensive side of his game, as it’s always useful to know how to fill in when your full-backs bomb on as often as Arteta’s do.
But the more likely explanation for the position change is simply that Arsenal have needed a left-back, particularly one who is as comfortable on the ball as Lewis-Skelly is. And when you’re 18 years old and playing for a club like Arsenal, you take the opportunities you’re given.
With Riccardo Calafiori, Zinchenko, and even Kieran Tierney now fully fit, there aren’t likely to be as many chances at left-back from now on. But the games will come thick and fast over the next few weeks, and there may well be openings somewhere in the team.
Having the ability to play left-back, holding midfield, or left-attacking midfield will aid Lewis-Skelly’s pursuit of further appearances.
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