First Arsenal, now England? Why scouts and FA insiders think 'mega-talent' Myles Lewis-Skelly is destined for the top with bumper new contract on way for Mikel Arteta's breakout star
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Back in September at the end of a particularly fractious draw between Manchester City and Arsenal, Erling Haaland saw a 17-year-old debutant intent on squaring up to him and enquired, ‘who the f*** are you?’. Now, both he and the Premier League are fully aware of Myles Lewis-Skelly, a mega-talent whose breakthrough has been quietly anticipated by Arsenal insiders.
![[Erling Haaland asked 'who the f***' he was on his debut - nobody is asking that question now]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/21/93629851-14239739-image-a-17_1735682100195.jpg)
As seen in his three consecutive league starts of late, against Everton, Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, the now 18-year-old has the physicality, defensive acumen and ball-playing skill of a player far beyond his tender years. It’s stirred the fanbase, who are already clamouring about just how far their homegrown gem - he joined the Gunners aged eight - can go.
![[His mother Marcia is protective and has been key to managing his rise through the ranks]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/22/93630055-14239739-image-a-29_1735682684347.jpg)
His rapid rise, including a shift at the start of this season from central midfield to left back amid the club’s defensive injury woes, has significantly altered Lewis-Skelly’s trajectory from a squad player to starter in his first senior campaign.
![[The versatile, athletic 18-year-old has impressed Mikel Arteta and is in line for a bumper deal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/21/93629849-14239739-image-a-18_1735682137999.jpg)
So much so, £42million summer signing Riccardo Calafiori had to contend with sitting on the bench for the Ipswich game after returning from injury. The Italian now faces a waiting game as to whether he can wrestle his spot back against Brentford on New Year’s Day.
![[He has come through Arsenal's Hale End academy with fellow highly rated teen Ethan Nwaneri]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/21/93629885-14239739-He_hs_come_through_Arsenal_s_Hale_End_academy_with_fellow_highly-a-20_1735682207754.jpg)
Mail Sport understands Lewis-Skelly is in line for a bumper new long-term deal. He signed his first professional contract aged 17 in September last year, and is believed to be on a three-year deal which expires in summer 2026. Myles Lewis-Skelly is making waves after breaking into Arsenal's first-team set-up.
![[His determination, physicality, and competitive edge have helped him adapt to senior football]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/31/21/93629837-14239739-image-a-21_1735682220728.jpg)
