Arsenal star compared to Wayne Rooney will ‘probably’ be sold this summer

Alan Smith says there is ‘every chance’ Myles Lewis-Skelly will leave Arsenal this summer after a ‘really difficult season’ at the Emirates Stadium.

Lewis-Skelly, 19, has started just one Premier League game so far this season, playing back-up to Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie.

The teenager enjoyed a breakout season for Arsenal last season, making 39 appearances in all competitions and helping the Gunners challenge for the Premier League and go deep in the Champions League.

Lewis-Skelly particularly impressed in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final win over Real Madrid and was compared to Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney by Jamie Carragher after the tie.

Ex-Liverpool captain Carragher and former Man United defender Gary Neville later hailed Lewis-Skelly as their Young Player of the Season and backed him to be an England regular over the next decade.

Lewis-Skelly has earned six England caps to date and was expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

But a lack of game-time at Arsenal has all but ruled Lewis-Skelly out of contention and he could instead be on the move this summer, according to former striker Smith.

‘It’s been a really difficult season for Myles Lewis-Skelly, hasn’t it? He’s behind two players, really, for the left-back slot,’ Smith told BestBettingSites.

‘If he did get a chance, I’d quite like to see him in midfield. That’s his position. Just see how he fares there. He’s not the best of defenders, so it suits him better in midfield. He’s really creative.

‘I think it’ll probably be a shop window for him. I think there’s every chance he might leave in the summer. We’ll see on that.’

Not only has Lewis-Skelly only started one Premier League game this season, he has been used as a substitute in less than half of Arsenal’s matches.

Ray Parlour has also questioned Lewis-Skelly’s future in north London and says his agent will be asking for a showdown meeting with Mikel Arteta.

Asked if conversations will take place to reassure the full-back over his future, Arsenal hero Parlour told Metro via BetMGM: ‘I’m sure there will be, I’m sure he and his agent will be going to see Arteta and asking what the future looks like.

‘I don’t think they will want him to leave. There might be a loan situation. Hincapie has been a brilliant signing and of course Calafiori is a top player and is first choice.

What Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville said about Myles Lewis-Skelly

JAMIE CARRAGHER

‘At 18 you’re a baby. The thought you could win Young Player of the Year at that age. That’s something that Michael Owen does or Wayne Rooney, absolute superstars.

‘I couldn’t believe he wasn’t on that list. The reason I went for him was how well he played in big games that I’ve watched. Against Man City, against Liverpool, in the Bernabeu [against Real Madrid].

‘It was more five or six big performance in big venues. I remember going to those venues at 23-24 and that was a lot for me.

‘To actually go there and play well, you felt like you needed to be in your peak to go to these big stadiums and play really well and feel comfortable. To be doing that at 18. Wow!’

GARY NEVILLE

‘That position has been a massive problem position for Arsenal and he’s gone in and looked like it’s his and he’s always been there.

‘That’s the biggest compliment you can give to a young player, they just slot in. [Bukayo] Saka’s done it in the last few years. To go in that position and do what he’s done.

‘The ability to take the ball in the biggest games in tight situations. It’s incredible what he’s doing. All the things you’d want from a full-back he has. It’s been a fantastic start to his career.’

Speaking on Sky Sports in May 2025

‘There is a lot of competition. You want to keep your young players but people get frustrated when they are not playing. He has to bide his time.’

Parlour added: ‘A lot has happened in his career very quickly. He got into the Arsenal team, played for England, scored for England all at a very young age and suddenly he’s been left out.

‘I don’t know what his attitude is like in training every day. As a youngster, you just have to get your head down. Sometimes you can get too big for you boots when it’s all going well for you.

‘I’ve seen it happen quite a few times with players. When you get left out you have to make sure you work hard in training. Make sure you show the manager what you are about.

‘I’m from the outside looking in, I don’t know what they do in training or what the attitudes with players who are left is like.

‘But what I would say is when you are left out, you are still in the manager’s plans but you have to work that bit harder.

‘Make sure the manager sees you and that you are ready to do anything to get into that side.’

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