Arsenal's latest academy sensation, Myles Lewis-Skelly, has captured hearts at the Emirates Stadium with his infectious smile and fearless performances. After his standout display in Arsenal's crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the 18-year-old expressed his pure joy to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, declaring, "I feel like a million dollars. I had to put on a show for my grandma."
The Islington-born youngster received a standing ovation from the Emirates crowd after another impressive performance. In a moment that epitomized his character, Lewis-Skelly engaged in a spirited tussle with Spurs' Lucas Bergvall before being substituted in the 87th minute, whipping up the crowd as he departed to thunderous applause.
"Just happy. Just taking it in, soaking it in. Yes sir! This is amazing man," Lewis-Skelly told Wright. "My mum was here, my family, my friends. I had to make sure I was winning my tackles for her and hopefully she was proud of me."
The teenager's breakthrough season has exceeded expectations following his impressive pre-season US tour with Mikel Arteta's squad. Despite Arsenal's campaign being marked by various challenges, including red cards, injuries, and inconsistent form, Lewis-Skelly has emerged as a bright spot, accumulating 15 first-team appearances since his September debut against Manchester City.
His achievement of becoming the second-youngest Arsenal player to start a north London derby in the Premier League, after Cesc Fabregas in 2004-05, is particularly noteworthy. What makes his success even more remarkable is that he's excelling as an inverted full-back, despite naturally being a central midfielder.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the youngster's performance against Tottenham, stating, "He was phenomenal. He is a real personality. He has so much trust in himself. He has that attitude about him." Teammate Declan Rice added his own commendation: "The young boy was unbelievable. To be playing the way he is at just 18 is just ridiculous. No fear."
Per Mertesacker, Arsenal's academy manager who has known Lewis-Skelly since he was in the Under-12 team, attributes the player's success to his ability to remain composed under pressure. "With Myles, whatever challenges we put in front of him he seems to be really comfortable and ready," Mertesacker explained. "That's probably for me his main trait. If you can stay as cool as possible in those challenging moments then you have a good chance to get an opportunity."
The young player's journey is particularly poignant given his mother Marcia Lewis's perspective on youth football. Running a platform called NO1Fan.Club that supports parents navigating youth football, she maintained a grounded outlook last September, stating, "He is not an Arsenal first-team player, he is an academy player, he has not 'made it'. He backs himself, we back him, but the realities are what they are... he is competing with multi-million pound players all over the world."
This realistic approach, combined with what Mertesacker describes as "unconditional" support and a "really good foundation from home," has been crucial to Lewis-Skelly's development. As Arsenal continues to nurture young talent alongside established stars Bukayo Saka and emerging prospect Ethan Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly's story represents the ongoing success of the club's commitment to developing homegrown talent.
