Myles Lewis-Skelly speculation is a good sign

The 19-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea but is said to want to stay in north London.

Mikel Arteta said it is a good sign if clubs are interested in signing Myles Lewis-Skelly but would not confirm whether Arsenal would consider selling the teenager.

The 19-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea having struggled for a place in the team that won the Premier League last season.

Lewis-Skelly signed a long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium last summer but started only five times in the league, though he was in the starting XI that lost the Champions League final on penalties to Paris St Germain.

He was a breakout star of Arsenal’s season in 2024/25, scoring a memorable goal in a 5-1 win at home to Manchester City after which he appeared to mock City’s Erling Haaland, with whom he had clashed in an earlier meeting.

He featured less during the title-winning campaign and reports have suggested he has been offered to United and Chelsea but the player wants to stay in north London.

Arsenal drew 1-1 with Serie A side Como on Wednesday, their final pre-season friendly before the campaign begins with Sunday’s Community Shield against City, with Lewis-Skelly scoring the Gunners’ goal and gesturing while celebrating in front of fans.

“It is good to score a goal, you should be emotional,” said Arteta. “He is a very emotional player, remember when he did the hand gestures (celebrating against City).

“I don’t want to talk about any speculation. If there is speculation about any of our players it is a good sign. It means what we are attracting interest and we are doing a good job.”

There has been uncertainty about Lewis-Skelly’s best position. A midfielder for Arsenal’s age-group teams, he came into the senior side at left-back, where he also played for England after making his international debut in March 2025.

However, during last season’s run-in he was used in central midfield, impressing there in crucial league wins over Fulham and West Ham as Arsenal ended their 22-year wait for the title, as well as in the Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Atletico Madrid and against PSG in Budapest.

He also played there against Como.

“He’s had a really good pre-season,” Arteta said. “We asked him to play in a different position because he played more as a No.6. We obviously lacked midfielders from international duty. I think he had a really consistent pre-season.”