Lewis Skelly new contract confirmed as Arsenal bet on homegrown talent
Teenage midfield talent Myles Lewis-Skelly has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, the club have announced. The Lewis Skelly new contract is a huge symbol of faith from the North London club, who want to do their utmost to continue developing their latest crop of youngsters from Hale End.
The teenager, who has already played for England at a number of age-group levels, was being monitored by a host of Europe’s top sides, but Arsenal acted fast to bring him in for the start of the 2025/26 campaign. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed, but it reportedly will be in place until at least 2028, with an option to extend based on team performance. The club didn’t release terms, but merely the existence of the offer is a clear signal as to how high his ceiling is.
The development of Lewis-Skelly has taken a course similar to that of other recent Hale End graduates such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. Standing out in the U18s and the U21s, he has also appeared in the UEFA Youth League, illustrating his technique, intelligence and versatility in a number of positions. Lewis-Skelly possesses the close control and composure on the ball that Arsenal look for in central midfielders. His reputation for making progressive passes and his calmness in tight spaces, fits the mold of the modern midfielder Arsenal value.
🚨🔴⚪️ Talks between Arsenal and Myles-Lewis Skelly are underway as new deal is considered just matter of time.
Andrea Berta will lead the process with club and player very happy together, as Mikel Arteta considers Myles as a key piece for his team also in the future. pic.twitter.com/NUCpCBKGIR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 18, 2025
He has had few opportunities at first-team level so far, but he did train with Mikel Arteta’s first team regularly last season and was named in numerous match day squads in domestic cup fixtures. Arsenal consider him as one of the most talented youngsters at the academy and they want to oversee his development so he doesn’t slide away from their radar.
Lewis-Skelly’s International Rise and Long-Term Role at Arsenal
The Lewis Skelly new contract represents a breakthrough season at international level for the midfielder. England international U18 He represented England at U18 level and looks poised to move into the U21 side. Lewis-Skelly’s commanding performances against top European opposition have impressed national team scouts, and pundits across the country already name him as one to watch. Many now firmly believe he’s on the verge of a call-up to the England senior squad.
At club level, Arsenal think Lewis-Skelly has what it takes to emerge as a regular first-team presence in future. His left foot adds balance in midfield and his coverage of defensive as well as deep-lying playmaker positions makes him tactically versatile — something in high demand at Arsenal, where Mikel Arteta has struggled to cover for injuries to key players. Thomas Partey’s situation is uncertain and Jorginho is coming towards the end of his career so there’s a clear path up the ranks for Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal’s long term planning and trust in internal development has focused in with growing intensity. By re-signing Lewis-Skelly early, the club protects itself from losing him amid rising outside interest and reinforces the message to its youth players that they remain central to the long-term project. And with Ethan Nwaneri and Reuell Walters all coming of age quickly, Arsenal are continuing to lay the foundation for a home-grown core.
Author’s Opinion
It is a sensible and important bit of business by Arsenal having tied Myles Lewis-Skelly down to a new long-term contract. It’s clear what the potential is — he’s sound technically, clever without the ball and with it, tactically functional. But like any teenage prospect, time, patience and managing carefully are essential.
It’s seldom a smooth process, from youth team football to senior Premier League minutes. Arsenal will have to handle his development carefully – getting the balance of training exposure, loan consideration and level-appropriate game time right. Rushing him could be more damaging than beneficial, especially in a midfield that already has elite talent in Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Kai Havertz, to name a few.
Still, locking in his future now is low-risk, high-upside. And if developed right, Lewis Skelly could in fact be a key man for the club’s next generation – and another shining light of Hale End’s incredible output.
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