Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has vowed to fight for his place in squad, amid strong competition for spots this season.
The teenager rose to prominence in the 2024-25 campaign, following an injury to Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori and went on to become the first-choice left-back for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Lewis-Skelly made 42 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, including 15 starts in the English Premier League and seven in the club’s run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
The 19-year-old went on to score on his debut for the Three Lions under Thomas Tuchel, capping off a very remarkable campaign.
However, he has been restricted to only a few starts this season, with Calafiori returning to the lineup.
“I’m enjoying it this season. It’s a different experience for me, not playing as much at the moment, but I’m enjoying being part of the team”, Lewis-Skelly admitted.
“It’s important to compete for places and I’m a competitive person, so I’m never going to back down. I enjoy the challenge. Being with these boys is a joy.”
The youngster’s eyes will be on making the highly-competitive England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He missed the squad for the last international window and will be eager to convince Thomas Tuchel to regain a spot back in the team.
“The standards are high and everyone wants to play. Because the levels are so much higher this season, places are short, but you’ve just got to compete”, he added.
“At the end of the day, I just want to express myself. Football’s what I love and I’ll never make excuses if I am playing or not. I just want to go out there and express myself. As long as I’m doing that, I’m giving the gaffer a choice to make.”
Arsenal visit newly-promoted Burnley in the English Premier League this weekend, as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the EPL standings.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
