After a remarkable turnaround in fortunes since May, Myles Lewis-Skelly has been named on the 25-man shortlist for the Golden Boy award, which recognises the best under-21 player in Europe.
It is the second year in a row the Hale End graduate has been nominated, although this time it is his progress in midfield, rather than at left-back, that has earned him recognition.
Myles made only two Premier League appearances between January and April, but breathed new life into Mikel Arteta’s side after being drafted into midfield for the final five games of the title-winning campaign. His performances earned him a place in the starting XI for the Champions League final, where he more than held his own against PSG’s star-studded side.
This season, he has featured in four of our five Premier League matches and earned a recall to the England squad.
Despite Arsenal having plenty of nominees over the years, Cesc Fabregas remains the only Gunner to win the award, doing so 20 years ago.
The club’s previous shortlisted players include Ethan Nwaneri, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Marquinhos, Alex Iwobi, Trae Coyle, Matteo Guendouzi, Reiss Nelson, Stephy Mavididi, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Joel Campbell, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yaya Sanogo and Serge Gnabry.
Which goes to show that encouraging signs as a youngster do not necessarily guarantee a successful career at the Emirates.
In terms of future prospects, it’s not hard to imagine Max Dowman (currently ranked 46th in the Top 100 list) and Marli Salmon competing for the honour in the future.
Anyway, best of luck to Myles, who faces stiff competition from some familiar names.
Golden Boy 2026 shortlist
Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
Yan Diomande (Real Madrid)
Endrick (Real Madrid)
Estêvão (Chelsea)
Victor Froholdt (Porto)
Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart)
Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich)
Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund)
Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth)
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
Saïd El Mala (Köln)
Jon Martin (Real Sociedad)
Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica)
Rayan (Bournemouth)
Luka Vuskovic (Brighton)
Wildcard entries
Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund)
Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina, on loan from Real Madrid)
Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton)
Xavi Espart (Barcelona)
Rodrigo Mora (Roma)
Golden Boy rules stipulate that previous winners cannot be nominated, so that’s why Lamine Yamal isn’t listed.