Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal embraces Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, at full time following victory during the Premier League match between Wes...
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal embraces Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, at full time following victory during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on May 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
The Arsenal manager responded emphatically to speculation surrounding the 19-year-old before the Premier League opener against Coventry City.
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Como Calcio at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has moved to end speculation over Myles Lewis-Skelly‘s future, insisting he is “100 per cent” confident the teenager will remain an Arsenal player when the transfer window closes.
The Arsenal manager gave the clearest indication yet that the 19-year-old Hale End graduate is not for sale, delivering an unequivocal response when asked about Lewis-Skelly’s future ahead of Friday night’s Premier League opener against Coventry City.
Recent reports have linked Lewis-Skelly with interest from Chelsea, while Manchester United have also been credited with a long-standing admiration for the midfielder.
At one point, it was even claimed he had been offered to both clubs.
However, Arteta’s comments make Arsenal’s position clear.
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal poses for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal poses for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Asked directly whether Lewis-Skelly would still be at the club after the transfer window shuts, Arteta replied: “100 per cent.”
The Arsenal manager also underlined the importance of academy graduates to the club, explaining that players who have come through Hale End bring qualities that cannot easily be replicated.
He said those players have a unique “love and connection” to Arsenal and stressed that the club must protect them, continue their development and ensure they become important figures within the first-team squad.
“I mean, the players that have been raised in our system and they feel generally that love and that connection with the club, it brings something else,” Arteta said.
Ethan Nwaneri, however, is likely to go out on loan.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Photo via Arsenal.com
“There is no question about that, and we need to look after them in a really special way because they bring value that is very difficult to find.
“That’s why, when we can, we want to protect those assets as much as possible, develop them and make them extremely important for the club. “
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal pose for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber of Arsenal pose for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League)
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