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Arsenal need to protect Next Gen stars like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri

Arsenal need to protect Next Gen stars like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri

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Arsenal must learn from their past mistakes in developing young talent with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri a big part of the club’s future.

By Graham Ruthven

Myles Lewis-Skelly is Arsenal through and through. He’s been at the North London club since the age of eight. Interviewed by Ian Wright after last week’s derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, the 18-year-old was visibly starstruck by the Gunners legend. On his current trajectory, Lewis-Skelly is set for Arsenal stardom himself.

Over the last two months, Lewis-Skelly has nailed down a starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s team. He has started Arsenal’s last four matches in all competitions, catching the eye even as the Gunners have faltered in the Premier League title race. The teenager has given Arsenal a different dimension on the left side of the defence.

This is all the more impressive because Lewis-Skelly technically isn’t even a left back. He played more frequently as a central midfielder in Arsenal’s youth ranks and has had to adapt quickly to his new position in the first team. Lewis-Skelly’s midfield education, however, gives him an edge over other options at left back.

Arteta affords Lewis-Skelly the freedom to push into the middle of the pitch, giving Arsenal another body in central midfield in possession. This then allows Declan Rice to push further forward, getting the England international closer to Martin Ødegaard and his teammates in the attacking third. Lewis-Skelly makes Arsenal a more proactive team as a whole.

“Adapting to the role is not only the defensive part,” said Arteta when asked about Lewis-Skelly’s development as a left-sided defender this season. “You’re facing wingers a lot of time in that position and you’re part of the defensive line. All the attacking process on top of that. It’s quite a lot. He’s dealing with it in a great way. Physically, he has matured a lot in the past year.”

Ethan Nwaneri has also made a first team breakthrough this season, scoring five goals in just 18 appearances (only five of them starts). The 17-year-old is currently sidelined through injury, but made a profound impact in the first half of the season whether that’s in central midfield or out on the right wing.

Nwaneri season summary

It’s not just Nwaneri’s technical ability that makes him special, it’s the personality he plays with. He passes and dribbles with purpose well beyond his years. He is dangerous from all areas of the pitch and was compensating for the absence of Bukayo Saka on the right side before suffering an injury of his own.

Of course, Arsenal’s academy has produced homegrown heroes before. It wasn’t so long ago that Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah were being billed as the future of the North London club. However, those three players serve as a cautionary tale. Arsenal must do more to safeguard the development of their latest crop.

Nwaneri possession stats per 90, 2024/25

There was never any plan for the growth of Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah. The former went on loan to Hoffenheim and Feyenoord before being farmed out to Fulham for the 2023/24 campaign. Meanwhile, Smith Rowe was sold permanently to the same club last summer with Nketiah also punted to Crystal Palace.

Smith Rowe and Nketiah surely would have given Arsenal some much-needed depth this season. The former might have covered for Martin Ødegaard when he missed two months of action through injury earlier in the season while the latter is the sort of penalty box poacher Arsenal are currently lacking.

Saka is the obvious example for Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri to follow. The right winger has been a first team figure at Arsenal for the last six seasons and is now considered one of the best players in his position anywhere in Europe. The Gunners are reliant on Saka and are paying for his absence right now having won just one of their last five games.

“I think it creates belief in the journey,” said Arteta regarding the example Saka sets for Arsenal’s academy graduates. Our players see there is a pathway that they have opportunities and if they earn it, they will be treated like the rest. I was lucky because someone trusted me at that age, and that is what you need as well. You have to be surrounded by the right team and players.”

The Arsenal academy conveyer belt is rolling again with Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri at the vanguard of the club’s future. The teenage pair have already made an impact in the first team, but at 17 and 18 remain in the formative years of their respective careers. Arsenal must do everything they can to ensure they follow the path of Saka and not that of Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

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Arsenal need to protect Next Gen stars like Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri

Arsenal must learn from their past mistakes in developing young talent with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri a big part of the club’s future.

By Graham Ruthven

Myles Lewis-Skelly is Arsenal through and through. He’s been at the North London club since the age of eight. Interviewed by Ian Wright after last week’s derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, the 18-year-old was visibly starstruck by the Gunners legend. On his current trajectory, Lewis-Skelly is set for Arsenal stardom himself.

Over the last two months, Lewis-Skelly has nailed down a starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s team. He has started Arsenal’s last four matches in all competitions, catching the eye even as the Gunners have faltered in the Premier League title race. The teenager has given Arsenal a different dimension on the left side of the defence.

This is all the more impressive because Lewis-Skelly technically isn’t even a left back. He played more frequently as a central midfielder in Arsenal’s youth ranks and has had to adapt quickly to his new position in the first team. Lewis-Skelly’s midfield education, however, gives him an edge over other options at left back.

Arteta affords Lewis-Skelly the freedom to push into the middle of the pitch, giving Arsenal another body in central midfield in possession. This then allows Declan Rice to push further forward, getting the England international closer to Martin Ødegaard and his teammates in the attacking third. Lewis-Skelly makes Arsenal a more proactive team as a whole.

“Adapting to the role is not only the defensive part,” said Arteta when asked about Lewis-Skelly’s development as a left-sided defender this season. “You’re facing wingers a lot of time in that position and you’re part of the defensive line. All the attacking process on top of that. It’s quite a lot. He’s dealing with it in a great way. Physically, he has matured a lot in the past year.”

Ethan Nwaneri has also made a first team breakthrough this season, scoring five goals in just 18 appearances (only five of them starts). The 17-year-old is currently sidelined through injury, but made a profound impact in the first half of the season whether that’s in central midfield or out on the right wing.

Nwaneri season summary

It’s not just Nwaneri’s technical ability that makes him special, it’s the personality he plays with. He passes and dribbles with purpose well beyond his years. He is dangerous from all areas of the pitch and was compensating for the absence of Bukayo Saka on the right side before suffering an injury of his own.

Of course, Arsenal’s academy has produced homegrown heroes before. It wasn’t so long ago that Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah were being billed as the future of the North London club. However, those three players serve as a cautionary tale. Arsenal must do more to safeguard the development of their latest crop.

Nwaneri possession stats per 90, 2024/25

There was never any plan for the growth of Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah. The former went on loan to Hoffenheim and Feyenoord before being farmed out to Fulham for the 2023/24 campaign. Meanwhile, Smith Rowe was sold permanently to the same club last summer with Nketiah also punted to Crystal Palace.

Smith Rowe and Nketiah surely would have given Arsenal some much-needed depth this season. The former might have covered for Martin Ødegaard when he missed two months of action through injury earlier in the season while the latter is the sort of penalty box poacher Arsenal are currently lacking.

Saka is the obvious example for Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri to follow. The right winger has been a first team figure at Arsenal for the last six seasons and is now considered one of the best players in his position anywhere in Europe. The Gunners are reliant on Saka and are paying for his absence right now having won just one of their last five games.

“I think it creates belief in the journey,” said Arteta regarding the example Saka sets for Arsenal’s academy graduates. Our players see there is a pathway that they have opportunities and if they earn it, they will be treated like the rest. I was lucky because someone trusted me at that age, and that is what you need as well. You have to be surrounded by the right team and players.”

The Arsenal academy conveyer belt is rolling again with Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri at the vanguard of the club’s future. The teenage pair have already made an impact in the first team, but at 17 and 18 remain in the formative years of their respective careers. Arsenal must do everything they can to ensure they follow the path of Saka and not that of Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.