Myles Lewis-Skelly has successfully transitioned into a key midfield player for Arsenal, a position he has long considered his natural fit. The 19-year-old's development saw him break into the first team at left-back during the 2024-25 season, earning accolades and even an England debut where he scored. However, his preferred role has always been in midfield.
Lewis-Skelly's versatility and ability to invert into midfield, protect possession, and break away from opponents were evident even when playing in defense. His breakthrough into the first team at left-back came during a period of injuries within the Arsenal squad. This strong performance led to him being recognized as one of the Premier League's top young full-backs and earned him a new five-year contract.
The 2023-24 season presented new challenges for Lewis-Skelly with the arrival of defender Riccardo Calafiori and the permanent signing of Piero Hincapie. Both players, more experienced than Lewis-Skelly, limited his first-team opportunities. Manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged being "tough" on the young player.
However, a decline in Martin Zubimendi's performances towards the end of the last season opened a door for Lewis-Skelly. He was given a chance to play in midfield in the final four games of the Premier League campaign against Fulham. His performance in this role was significant enough that he started all but one of the remaining matches, contributing to Arsenal securing the Premier League title. The team also reached the Champions League final, where they were defeated by Paris Saint-Germain.