Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly look set to remain around the first-team setup this season, with all signs pointing that way this week.
Myles Lewis-Skelly in training with the Arsenal first team (Photo via Arsenal.com)
After a strong pre-season for both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly so far, Mikel Arteta sung the praises of both academy players in a press conference on Wednesday.
Arsenal had just seen off Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium, with Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly impressing in second-half substitute appearances.
“If they continue like they are doing right now, it’s not going to have any difference whether they come from the academy or if we signed them from Argentina, Germany or Italy,” Arteta said.
“They are showing the qualities that they have. They are especially showing personality they have to play at this level. Let’s see. We’re not going to put any restrictions, it’s the opposite. If they deserve minutes, they will get minutes.”
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA: Ethan Nwaneri of Arsenal controls the ball against Hannibal Mejbri in the first half during a pre-season friendly match at SoFi Stadium on July 27, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Backing up those words, Arteta has continued to include Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly in first-team training as the week has gone on, and it looks like they both have a real chance of being involved in Sunday’s squad against Olympique Lyonnais.
After that, Football.London’s Kaya Kaynak suggests that the plan is to keep them both around the first-team setup during the competitive campaign.
Kaynak writes that it may be too early to send the pair out on loan to the lower leagues, yet they look ready to make a first-team impact.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly (L) fights for the ball with Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on July 24, 2024. (Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images)
The best strategy could be to have the pair around the Arsenal senior side throughout the campaign, giving them opportunities when the chances present themselves.
For example, a game heading for a comfortable victory or a lower-league cup tie would be a way to involve the duo in a scenario where the stakes aren’t so high.
Arteta will have to manage them well, because they have the talent to succeed with Arsenal if he does.
