‘Lab-built’ Myles Lewis-Skelly is Arsenal’s beating heart in their title charge – and is doing it all for his grandma
THE Arsenal dressing room have a theory that Myles Lewis-Skelly is not human – instead suggesting he was built in a laboratory.
But right now, this 18-year-old sensation is quickly becoming the beating heart of Mikel Arteta’s Gunners as they attempt to breathe life back into their Premier League title charge.
No one – not even boss Arteta – predicted this rapid rise when Hale End midfielder Lewis-Skelly joined up with the seniors on their pre-season tour to the States last summer.
Fast-forward six months and he is arguably Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, making the most of injuries to the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber an Oleksandr Zinchenko this term.
One of the squad’s smaller members at 5ft10, his strength on and off the ball is something to behold. His technique, positioning and calmness under pressure is just as impressive.
Following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Ipswich on December 27, Declan Rice said: “This kid can go to the top. He is special. It is like he was built in a lab, the boy. It is ridiculous how good he is.”
And after the vital 2-1 win over North London rivals Tottenham – to put Arsenal within four points of leaders Liverpool – Rice compared Lewis-Skelly’s physique to ex-Spurs favourite and man-mountain of a midfielder Moussa Dembele.
Yet what is more eye-catching is Lewis-Skelly’s personality, despite being the first 18-year-old to start for Arsenal against Tottenham in the Prem since Cesc Fabregas in 2005.
Where most teenagers would cower, Lewis-Skelly embraces challenges with a cheeky smile and a confidence bordering on arrogance – strutting his stuff with the swagger of a top-flight veteran.
He has already earned a reputation as a fearless pest. On his Prem debut in September, he boldly squared up to Manchester City’s Erling Haaland at full-time, already with a booking to his name for being a nuisance on the side line as a substitute.
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And towards the end of the Tottenham clash, he sparked a shoving match with several agitated Spurs players before being subbed off – only to rev up the home crowd with a few fist pumps and a kiss of the badge as he left the pitch to much adulation.
That may have something to do with impressing his grandma. His mum Marcia has also been vital to his development, recently launching a blog to help other parents guide their kids through academy systems after studying for a Masters in football business.
Lewis-Skelly – who has been with Arsenal since the age of nine – explained after his first North London Derby: “Never afraid of no one. I want to go against the best. I want to be the best.
“My mum, my grandma, my friends [were at the game]. I had to put on a show for my grandma, make sure that I did not look soft in front of her!
“I had to make sure I was winning my tackles for her and hopefully she is proud of me.
“I was a kid watching the derbies and know how much it means to the fans, it’s everything. To experience it, I can’t stop smiling.”
Arteta has been gushing over Lewis-Skelly for weeks, like a proud dad, previously revealing his incredible attention to detail and constant asking of questions during training sessions.
The Spaniard said: “It is very rare to see. Eighteen years old, playing against Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson in a big London derby for the first time, performing with that composure, with that attitude and control emotionally. He had never played full-back [before this season].”
Keeper David Raya added: “He is incredible. He doesn’t look 18, he doesn’t feel 18, because the character that he has on the pitch.”
He is playing beyond his years, and is now trusted by the club to hold his own in interviews and media requests, but this should come as no surprise. Lewis-Skelly played for Arsenal’s U18s when he was just 14.
All eyes this term have been on another academy grad in Ethan Nwaneri, 17, who broke records when he made his top flight debut aged 15 years and 181 days back in September 2022.
But with Nwaneri currently out injured, Lewis-Skelly has seized the limelight, and following his first senior contract in October 2023, he is currently in talks for a brand new deal.
And after featuring for England from the U16s to U19s, there are even whisperings of a potential senior call-up with Thomas Tuchel watching on at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Three Lions star Rice said: “Who knows what England holds for him. I know they think highly of him there.”
No doubt he would grab that opportunity with no hesitation. No environment is too intimidating, too much.
Maybe this kid was made in a lab?