Myles Lewis-Skelly has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season.
The teenager was nowhere near the first team this time last year – he was still playing for the academy sides under Jack Wilshere and Mehmet Ali.
After a successful pre-season, Mikel Arteta gave Lewis-Skelly an opportunity in the first team earlier this term, and the youngster hasn’t looked back since.
Lewis-Skelly is now Arsenal’s undisputed first-choice left-back ahead of the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori.
That tells you all you need to know about the season he has had, and Gael Clichy is really impressed.
Gael Clichy shares what he’s hearing about Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly
Myles Lewis-Skelly joined Arsenal when he was just eight years old.
The youngster developed brilliantly in Hale End, played in multiple age groups in the youth setup and has deservedly made it into the senior side.
Everyone at Arsenal knew that Lewis-Skelly was going to have a great future – not just because of his talent on the pitch but also because of his hunger and desire to get better.
Clichy, who knows a thing or two about playing for Arsenal at left-back, has heaped praise on Lewis-Skelly and revealed what he has been told by people inside the club about him.
He said on Sky Sports: “Surprised? No! From what I’m hearing from the club, he is a very good lad, he likes to progress, he has got the desire and hunger to go forward.
“I would say, playing for a lower league team is always difficult. In the Premier League, every game is difficult. But, playing for a top club that is actually challenging for the title makes it a bit more special and harder.
“For him to come in and play the way he has played, I think it’s phenomenal. You don’t see many players like that at this age as a defender. Offensive players will obviously have more chances, but as a defender, you need to be sound, solid and willing to listen.
“Obviously, he will improve his body shape, the scanning… But, with the physique he has, he can play both feet, he can go inside as well, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him even more down the middle (in midfield) with Mikel.
“But this is what you want. You want your club to bring players like this, and I’m pretty sure that Arsenal fans will appreciate his performances over the years because he is a super talent!”
READ MORE: Myles Lewis-Skelly names the top talent in the Arsenal academy who’ll be next in ‘coming through’
Should Mikel Arteta move Lewis-Skelly to midfield?
Lewis-Skelly is naturally a central midfielder.
The youngster grew up playing in the middle of the park, and that is where he was educated when he was coming through the ranks in the Arsenal academy.
But, Arteta saw him as a left-back because of his ability to invert comfortably, and his performances in that role have been magnificent.
Central midfield may well be where Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future lies, but we think the youngster should stay at left-back for another season or two and continue his development there.
