Mikel Arteta has been instrumental in convincing Miles Lewis-Skelly to remain at Arsenal, notwithstanding strong interest from both Manchester United and Chelsea.
According to The Sun, the 19-year-old midfielder had been weighing up a move away from the London club over the summer. However, Arteta’s position proved decisive as the manager communicated his trust in the academy graduate and promised him a more significant role in the first team.
Arteta's convincing argument wasn’t just a chat with the player; he also outlined a tactical shift within the team. The switch to a two-man midfield setup has provided Lewis-Skelly with the opportunity to regularly partner Declan Rice in the engine room.
In fact, it’s in this role that the young Englishman truly flourished towards the end of last season.
Arsenal unfazed by the signing of Guimaraes
The situation around Lewis-Skelly became particularly intriguing following Arsenal's acquisition of Bruno Guimaraes.
The addition of another top-class midfielder could have led Lewis-Skelly to reassess his prospects at the club. Yet, Arsenal made it clear that Guimaraes' arrival wouldn’t diminish Lewis-Skelly’s significance in the squad.
On the contrary, the club continues to view the academy product as an integral part of their long-term project.
Arteta also values the versatility of the player, who can cover left-back, push wide in attack, or transition into central midfield. This kind of flexibility enables the manager to deploy him in various scenarios, adjusting the team selection to counter specific opponents.
Interest from Manchester United and Chelsea does not alter his decision
Throughout the summer, the future of Lewis-Skelly remained one of the most talked-about transfer stories surrounding Arsenal.
Chelsea expressed interest in the player, while Manchester United had been monitoring his development for some time. Reports emerged in August indicating that both clubs were weighing up a potential move.
However, Arteta had publicly ruled out any potential exit for the midfielder before the transfer window closed. When asked if Lewis-Skelly would stay at Arsenal, the Spaniard confidently replied, “100 percent.”
Now it becomes clearer why the manager was so assured about this outcome.
