Why Lewis-Skelly’s role at Arsenal has changed

By Martin Graham

Less than a year ago, Myles Lewis-Skelly appeared to be one of the brightest young talents emerging from Arsenal. The teenager featured in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid and was widely viewed as a potential long-term option at left-back for the England national football team ahead of the next FIFA World Cup.

The 2024–25 campaign proved to be a breakthrough for the academy graduate. Injuries within the squad opened the door, and he seized the opportunity, becoming a regular presence in the first team. His performances were rewarded with a new five-year contract during the summer.

Recognition soon followed at an international level. In March of last year, Lewis-Skelly made his England debut at Wembley Stadium and scored in a 2-0 victory over the Albania national football team, becoming the youngest player to find the net on his first appearance for the national side.

He also started four World Cup qualifying matches and featured in four of Thomas Tuchel’s first five England squads. However, reduced involvement at club level meant he was not included in the November international camp.

Competition and a shift in priorities

At Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta is focused on ending the club’s long wait for a league title after three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League. With the club chasing its first championship since 2004, there is little room for sentimental decisions when selecting the team.

Arteta has reshaped his squad to cope with the physical demands of the league and to compete consistently at the highest level. Alongside Riccardo Calafiori, signed for £42m in 2024, the club also brought in Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with an option to buy for about £45m.

Other arrivals such as Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze reflect the club’s strategy of signing players in their prime who can deliver immediate results. That approach has inevitably made opportunities harder to come by for younger prospects.

Another academy product, Ethan Nwaneri, was loaned to Olympique de Marseille after struggling to secure regular minutes. Lewis-Skelly has remained with the squad but faces stiff competition, particularly from Hincapié, who was part of Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga triumph in 2024-25 and their DFB-Pokal success the previous season.

Reduced minutes but continued progress

The Ecuador international’s strength and defensive intensity have been highlighted frequently by Arteta, qualities that align closely with the manager’s tactical demands. Those traits, combined with the influence of new assistant Gabriel Heinze, have helped push Hincapié ahead in the pecking order.

Calafiori’s attacking unpredictability also plays a role in Arsenal’s current system, where full-backs are heavily involved in forward play. As a result, Lewis-Skelly has moved from being first choice last season to a third-option role this year.

Despite that drop in status, his situation is far from negative. Last season he started 26 of his 42 appearances as injuries to Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney created opportunities. This year he has started 12 times in 26 outings, though only once in the Premier League.

He has still been trusted in European competition, starting six of Arsenal’s nine Champions League matches. Those appearances included notable victories over Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid, where he produced a driving run and assist, as well as playing the full match in a win against Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Future questions ahead of the summer

Arteta has insisted the fluctuation in Lewis-Skelly’s involvement has several explanations. Suspensions, team-mates’ strong form and tactical considerations have all influenced selection decisions throughout the season.

The manager continues to promote young players, with six making their senior debuts during the campaign. However, there is a clear difference between introducing prospects to first-team football and relying on them in decisive matches.

Lewis-Skelly has shown he can operate effectively at full-back and move into midfield when Arsenal have possession. Yet adjustments in the team’s tactical setup this season mean those qualities are not as central to the build-up as they were previously.

Even so, the teenager has already achieved more than most players his age. If Arsenal secure the league title in May, he will still qualify for a Premier League winners’ medal. With his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup now uncertain, discussions about the next step in his development could become a key topic during the summer.