Arsenal star in line for new role as Mikel Arteta considers axing two players

Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly has made a big impression in defence this season, but the Hale End graduate has already been earmarked for a different role by Mikel Arteta

Myles Lewis-Skelly is poised to play in midfield next season with Arsenal planning an engine room revamp.

The emergence of Lewis-Skelly, 18, has been one of the high spots of the 2024-25 campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side, who trail Liverpool at the Premier League summit by four points after their 2-1 win over Tottenham on Wednesday night.

The Hale End graduate has impressed while deputising as a full-back but came through Arsenal’s academy as a midfielder.

And it seems as though he will get opportunities to play in his national position moving forward, even with the Londoners closing in on a blockbuster £51million deal for long-term target Martin Zubimendi.

As outlined in a new report from The Mail, Lewis-Skelly is viewed as a midfield option for the 2025-26 campaign, where he could line up alongside Zubimendi if a deal for the Real Sociedad midfielder can be concluded.

The likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey could make way with Lewis-Skelly moving up the pitch: both of the experienced midfielder’s are out of contract in the summer.

While the report stresses that no final decisions have yet been taken in regards to their futures, it’s said there is ‘every chance’ that the duo will be given the green light to leave the club, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice ready to compete with Lewis-Skelly and Zubimendi for places in midfield.

Join the debate! What have you made of Lewis-Skelly this season, Arsenal fans? Let us know here

Although he’s a midfielder by trade, Lewis-Skelly has earned rave reviews after filling in at full-back and was singled out after the north London derby by Arteta, who branded the youngster as “phenomenal”.

And Rice also lauded the teenager, comparing him to former Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele. He said post-match: “The young boy Myles was unbelievable.

“For 18 years of age to be playing how he is…it is just ridiculous. The young players now have no fear, none whatsoever.

“Four or five times in the second-half he used his body to get away from someone. He has that Mousa Dembele type strength. It is risky, but to show that personality and character at 18 is unbelievable.”

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