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Myles Lewis-Skelly

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Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly in 2024
Personal information
Full name Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly
Date of birth (2006-09-26) 26 September 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Denmark Hill, London, England[1]
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder, Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Arsenal
Number 49
Youth career
2015–2024 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024– Arsenal 19 (1)
International career‡
2021–2022 England U16 5 (0)
2022–2023 England U17 21 (2)
2023–2024 England U18 4 (0)
2024– England U19 5 (0)
2025– England 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:11, 23 April 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:00, 24 March 2025 (UTC)

Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly (born 26 September 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and left-back for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team.

Lewis-Skelly has been with Arsenal since the age of nine, making his first-team debut with the club during their 2024–25 campaign.

After representing England at multiple youth levels, Lewis-Skelly was selected for the senior squad in March 2025 for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, making his debut and scoring his first international goal against Albania and winning the man of the match award.

Early life

[edit]

Myles Anthony Lewis-Skelly[3] was born on 26 September 2006, in Denmark Hill, London. His parents are both British-born of mixed Caribbean descent.[4]

During his time at Arsenal's Academy, Hale End, Lewis-Skelly attended the Aldenham School in Hertfordshire, playing simultaneously for his school and academy team.[5]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Myles Lewis-Skelly joined the academy of Premier League side Arsenal as a child at the age of eight. He progressed through the academy alongside friend and teammate Ethan Nwaneri, and the pair made their under-18 debut together in a 6–1 win over Reading, with both players scoring.[6]

Lewis-Skelly drew acclaim for his performances in Arsenal's 2022–23 FA Youth Cup campaign, in which they reached the final before being defeated by West Ham United. In the fifth-round game played on 6 February 2023, he starred in a defensive midfield role as Arsenal beat Watford 4–2,[7] before agreeing a scholarship deal with the club later in the same month, keeping him at Hale End for another two years, during which time he would become eligible for a professional contract.[8]

His performance in the quarter-final win against Cambridge United earned the praise of Jack Wilshere, with the coach stating that Lewis-Skelly was capable of "things you can't coach".[9] In the semi-final against Manchester City, he scored the winning goal in the final minute of extra time, as Arsenal went on to win 2–1.[10][6]

Arsenal

[edit]

On 5 October 2023, Arsenal announced that Myles Lewis-Skelly had signed his first professional contract with the club.[11] He made his senior debut for the club on 22 September 2024 in a 2–2 draw away at Manchester City, coming on for Jurriën Timber in second-half injury time.[12] In the same match, he received a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver before his debut.[13] Three days later, Lewis-Skelly was handed his first senior start in a 5–1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.[14] On 11 December, he made his first Champions League start in a 3–0 win over Ligue 1 side Monaco, becoming the youngest player to start for Arsenal in the competition since 2011.[15] He was handed his first Premier League start in a 0–0 draw against Everton three days later.[16]

On 25 January 2025, Lewis-Skelly was controversially shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver against Wolverhampton Wanderers after a foul on Matt Doherty was deemed serious foul play.[17] Arsenal went on to win the match 1–0.[18] It was reported on 28 January that Lewis-Skelly would not serve a three-match suspension after Arsenal's appeal against his red card at Wolves was upheld by an FA's independent regulatory commission.[19][20] The written reasons published by the regulatory commission stated that "the Commission members were unanimous in their opinion that the Referee had made an obvious error in sending off MLS for the challenge that he had made."[21][22] "MLS had stepped across his opponent and tripped him up, possibly deliberately, but in doing so he had obviously not endangered the safety of his opponent or used excessive force or brutality, nor had he 'lunged' in at his opponent."[21][22]

On 2 February, Lewis-Skelly scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 5–1 victory against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium. He celebrated by performing Erling Haaland's meditation celebration; in the reverse fixture in which Manchester City had drew 2–2 earlier in the season Haaland had reportedly asked "who the f***" he was.[23][24] In a game against West Ham United on 22 February, Lewis-Skelly saw his initial yellow card upgraded to a red following a VAR check, for denying a goalscoring opportunity on the halfway line. Arsenal went on to lose the game 1–0.[25]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Lewis-Skelly's parents are both British, and his grandparents are of mixed Caribbean heritage (Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, and St Lucia), and he is eligible to represent both England and Barbados at international level. During his youth career with Arsenal, he trained with the Barbados national football team.[7] Having represented England at under-16 level, Lewis-Skelly was called up to the under-17 squad for the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[26] In England's second game of the tournament, Lewis-Skelly scored after seven minutes in an eventual 4–1 win over the Netherlands.[27]

On 6 September 2023, Lewis-Skelly made his England U-18 debut during a 2–0 defeat to France in Limoges.[28] A month later, on 2 November, he was included in the England squad for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.[29] On 7 September 2024, Lewis-Skelly made his England U-19 debut during a 1–1 draw away to Croatia.[30]

Senior

[edit]

On 14 March 2025, Lewis-Skelly received his first England senior call-up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Albania and Latvia under head coach Thomas Tuchel.[31] Starting as a left-back in the match against the former on 21 March, Lewis-Skelly scored the first goal of the match in the 20th minute and was awarded man of the match.[32] At 18 years and 176 days old, he became the youngest England player to score on his senior debut, breaking the record previously held by Marcus Rashford.[33]

Style of play

[edit]

Predominantly a central midfielder, capable of playing in both attacking and defensive roles, Lewis-Skelly has also filled in at left-back for Arsenal's under-21 side and first team, and for the England national football team.[6][34] The football website Goal described him as "excellent with the ball at his feet", with "impressive technique", and "an engine needed to be able to get from box to box".[6] Lewis-Skelly has garnered stylistic comparisons to the likes of Arturo Vidal and Michael Essien, all-action midfielders capable of imposing themselves onto games.[35][36]

Personal life and family

[edit]

Lewis-Skelly's mother is Marcia Lewis, who launched in 2022 No1Fan.club, a service to assist families with children in academy football, offering workshops on topics about parenting a young person going through a professional academy.[37] "We get parents from grassroots who want that peek over the curtain of what is in an academy. Their kids have been scouted, what does that mean?" Lewis told the BBC.[38]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 23 April 2025[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Arsenal U21 2022–23 — — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
2023–24 — — — — 2[a] 0 2 0
Total — — — — 4 0 4 0
Arsenal 2024–25 Premier League 19 1 1 0 5 0 8[b] 0 — 33 1
Career total 19 1 1 0 5 0 8 0 4 0 37 1
  1. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

[edit]
As of match played 24 March 2025[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 2025 2 1
Total 2 1
As of match played 24 March 2025
England score listed first, score column indicates score after each Lewis-Skelly goal[40]
List of international goals scored by Myles Lewis-Skelly
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 21 March 2025 Wembley Stadium, London, England 1  Albania 1–0 2–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [41]

Honours

[edit]

Arsenal U21

References

[edit]
  1. ^ F.C, Arsenal (18 March 2025). "Myles Lewis-Skelly". Arsenal.com.
  2. ^ "Myles Lewis-Skelly Statistics | Premier League". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  3. ^ "2024/25 Updated Premier League squad lists". Premier League. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Myles Lewis-Skelly: Age, height, nationality, parents, contract and stats". OneFootball. 5 December 2025.
  5. ^ James, Josh (2 February 2025). "Lewis-Skelly: Studying for AS-Levels while passing first-team test". Arsenal.com.
  6. ^ a b c d Watts, Charles (25 April 2023). "Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arsenal's latest wonderkid midfielder who looks destined for the top". goal.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b Vurley, Callum (7 February 2023). "'Hale End taking over' – Myles Lewis-Skelly compilation emerges after Arsenal FA Youth Cup win and fans think they're set for the future". talksport.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  8. ^ Ornstein, David (27 February 2023). "Ornstein: VAR chief retiring, Arsenal teenager to sign, Haaland expected to go with Nike". theathletic.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. ^ de Roché, Art (28 February 2023). "Jack Wilshere interview: Staying calm, making memories and praising Lewis-Skelly". theathletic.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  10. ^ de Roché, Art (5 April 2023). "Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly is deciding games and doing 'things you can't coach'". theathletic.com. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  11. ^ "Lewis-Skelly signs first professional contract". Arsenal F.C. 5 October 2023.
  12. ^ "'What a future awaits!' - Arsenal fans claim Myles Lewis-Skelly is 'anointed' as teenager picks up yellow card BEFORE making Premier League debut in bizarre incident vs Man City". Goal.com. 22 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Man City v Arsenal, 2024/25 | Premier League". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  14. ^ Blitz, Sam (25 September 2024). "Arsenal 5–1 Bolton: Ethan Nwaneri scores twice and Raheem Sterling nets first Gunners goal as League One side swiped away". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  15. ^ Yew, Oliver (11 December 2024). "Arsenal 3–0 Monaco: Bukayo Saka's double secures victory as Mikel Arteta's side close in on last 16 of Champions League". Sky Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  16. ^ de Roché, Art (14 December 2024). "Arsenal 0 Everton 0: Title hopefuls frustrated again, a need for speed, and faith in Lewis-Skelly". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Five issues with Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card in Arsenal's win at Wolves – Premier League hits and misses". Sky Sports. 25 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  18. ^ de Roché, Art (25 January 2025). "Wolves 0 Arsenal 1: Was Lewis-Skelly's red card harsh? How did Arteta's 10 men play?". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arsenal defender's red card in Wolves win overturned after successful appeal". Sky Sports. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  20. ^ McNicholas, James; de Roché, Art (28 January 2025). "Arsenal win appeal against Myles Lewis-Skelly's red card during Wolves victory". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  21. ^ a b "Claim of Wrongful Dismissal and Clearly Excessive – Myles Lewis-Skelly – 28 January 2025 – Written Reasons" (PDF). The Football Association. 28 January 2025. Archived from the original on 1 February 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  22. ^ a b "Myles Lewis-Skelly red card: FA reveals why Arsenal defender's sending off was overturned after appeal". Sky Sports. 31 January 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  23. ^ "Myles Lewis-Skelly mocks Erling Haaland with goal celebration as Arsenal thrash Man City". The Independent. 2 February 2025.
  24. ^ Smyth, Rob (2 February 2025). "Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, and Ethan Nwaneri, 17, scored as Arsenal humiliated the champions in the last half hour at the Emirates". The Guardian.
  25. ^ de Roché, Art (22 February 2025). "Arsenal 0 West Ham 1: Unbeaten run over, Lewis-Skelly's red card and the Merino experiment". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  26. ^ Collings, Simon (17 May 2023). "Arsenal starlets Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly named in England U17 squad for European Championships". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  27. ^ "Men's U17 Euros: Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly scores goal for England against Netherlands". bbc.co.uk. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  28. ^ "Report: France 2-0 England MU18s". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  29. ^ "England squad for the FIFA U-17 World Cup". EnglandFootball.com. The Football Association. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  30. ^ Drury, Adam (7 September 2024). "Report: England MU19s 1-1 Croatia". EnglandFootball.com. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  31. ^ Jackson, Bobbie (14 March 2025). "England squad announcement: Marcus Rashford returns as manager Thomas Tuchel names first squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  32. ^ "'He is fearless' - Declan Rice left in awe of Arsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly after 18-year-old scores and is named Player of the Match on England debut | Goal.com". www.goal.com. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  33. ^ McNulty, Phil (21 March 2025). "England 2-0 Albania: Lewis-Skelly scores as England begin Tuchel era with win over Albania". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
  34. ^ Winter, Lewis (7 February 2023). "Arsenal already have a 'superior Granit Xhaka-regen' as fans rave over academy star". express.co.uk. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  35. ^ Canton, Tom (13 July 2023). "Myles Lewis-Skelly in profile as Arsenal young star ready for Nurnberg debut". Football.London. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  36. ^ Roché, Art de. "Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly is deciding games and doing 'things you can't coach'". The Athletic. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  37. ^ Gulati, Ayisha (6 February 2025). "Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly inspires mum to help football's next generation". Hayters. Retrieved 2 April 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ Bysouth, Alex (6 September 2024). "Chasing the dream - how do you parent young football stars?". BBC. Retrieved 2 April 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ Myles Lewis-Skelly at Soccerway
  40. ^ a b "Myles Lewis-Skelly: Internationals". WorldFootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  41. ^ "England vs. Albania 2–0: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. 21 March 2025.
  42. ^ "Hammers beat Arsenal 5–1 in the 2022–23 FA Youth Cup final at Emirates Stadium". The Football Association. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
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