Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have made a significant decision on Myles Lewis-Skelly. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have decided to prevent the defender from leaving the squad despite the rumors. According to sources, the club has reportedly decided to block his exit.
Long-Term Investment from Mikel Arteta and Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly is a Hale End graduate. He joined Arsenalโs academy at the age of eight and progressed to the first team, making him a prized product of Arsenalโs youth system. Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have a positive view of his potential, thus blocking his exit. Arsenal also decided to extend his contract with the first team in June 2025, strengthening his place as a long-term player in the club.ย
The playerโs technical skills make him a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s demands. However, the playerโs game time has been a major concern following a breakout season last year. Even though the club is currently prioritizing other players over him, they refuse to let a talent like Lewis-Skelly slip away. Even though the player is hardly getting any starting minutes, the club wants him to stay on the sidelines for the future.
The Chelsea Reports
The lack of game time for the defender sparked interest from several clubs in the transfer market. Opponent clubs are looking at the perfect opportunity: a skilled player who is barely getting any game time after his breakthrough season. The most prominent interest has been from Premier League clubs. Chelsea, though, has shown some serious interest in the player.
Chelsea has been reportedly monitoring Lewis-Skelly for quite some time now. There has been no contact between the two sides, but the club has run some background checks on the player. The defenderโs young age, combined with his talent, makes him a perfect catch for the rivals. Chelsea is a club with a keen eye for young talent, and Lewis-Skelly fits that criteria well enough.
The Tactical Investment
The injury factor plays a major part in Mikel Arteta and Arsenal’s decision to prevent the defender from leaving. The club was forced to deal with several injuries in recent weeks. Their main choice for the left back, Riccardo Calafiori, is a player with a concerning fitness history. The club wants to ensure theyโre not left exposed after another injury, especially in a season that could end up as a successful one.
What This Means for Lewis-Skelly
However, the clubโs decision to block his exit impacts his international career. Lewis-Skellyโs lack of game time was cited as the reason for his absence from the England national squad. Englandโs coach, Thomas Tuchel, has said that the player must be a regular starter for his club to be a candidate for the World Cup squad. This creates a dilemma for the player, forcing him to opt between his World Cup ambitions and being a long-term part of Arsenal under Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are asking him to trust their project, which allows him to be a key part of the clubโs project. The club believes that the daily training at the Emirates and competing for the starting XI will help the player more than a mid-season loan. Lewis-Skelly must accept the clubโs decision and wait for the next big opportunity to prove himself to the club and the nation.
Authorโs Insight
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have made their decision according to the clubโs long-term project. However, this project will interrupt Lewis-Skellyโs international career and his ambitions for the World Cup. A loan could help the player add more minutes to his tally. That would increase his chances of being a part of the World Cup squad, but the club would still have a say in that decision.
