Arteta reveals how Lewis-Skelly has 'surprised' him amid Arsenal exit talk

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Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he has been "surprised" by Myles Lewis-Skelly's recent impact as a midfielder.

The Gunners wonderkid has endured a difficult campaign after breaking onto the scene in 2024/25. Originally a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly was converted into a left-back and starred for Arsenal last term.

His performances even earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel's England team, but this season has been a completely different story. Arsenal signed Piero Hincapie last summer, which relegated the 19-year-old to third-choice left-back.

Consequently, he has struggled for minutes this season, particularly in domestic play. He has started most of his club's Champions League matches, but only three games in the league. In fact, he has played fewer minutes in the Premier League than in Europe.

He did not make a single appearance in the league for two months between mid-January and mid-March, and two of his three starts have come in the last four games.

Arteta hails Lewis-Skelly

There has been plenty of transfer speculation surrounding the teenager's future due to his lack of action. In January, several clubs expressed an interest in loaning him, but Arsenal decided to only allow Ethan Nwaneri to leave.

Looking ahead to the summer, it has been suggested that Lewis-Skelly would be open to an exit. Both a loan - seemingly his preferred option - and a sale have been mooted, with the latter generating pure profit for Arsenal and potentially funding their summer business.

However, Lewis-Skelly's fortunes have now seemingly changed. Last weekend, he was used in midfield for the first time by Arteta and impressed so much that he kept his place for the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

He played 74 minutes as Arsenal booked their place in only their second-ever Champions League final. Naturally, fans are desperate for him to stay and to keep playing in midfield.

Addressing the situation of Lewis-Skelly, Arteta has admitted that the youngster has been "exceptional" and that it has been "surprising" to see the ease with which he has slotted into this new position, given his lack of match rhythm this term.

"I think it's been a process of probably understanding him better, him understanding as well the standards that are required when you play or don't play that much at this level," Areta said. "To understand the reasons why you play or don't play as well.

"And then he's been exceptional, his attitude, the way he's been training, the way he's been supporting the boys when he hasn't played. And he's given us every sign to think that when we were going to give him the chance, he was going to respond in the manner that he's done it.

"But after he's done it - and it's not easy, especially when you haven't played that much - to look that fresh, that confident, that energetic, playing with that determination, it's something that is surprising."