Why Myles Lewis-Skelly has not been included in Arsenal's 22-man Premier League squad list
Myles Lewis-Skelly has not been named in Arsenal's Premier League squad(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly will still be able to play a key role in the Premier League this season, despite not being included in the club’s 22-man squad. The Gunners have submitted their squad list after the summer transfer window came to an end.
Mikel Arteta has named 22 senior players as Arsenal look to retain the league title. New signings Christos Tzolis, Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Illan Meslier have all been added in, though Lewis-Skelly appears to be a notable omission at first glance.
However, the 19-year-old was eligible to be named on a separate Under-21 list, as he was born on or after January 1, 2005. This allows Lewis-Skelly to star for the Gunners while freeing up a spot in the first team squad list.
Premier League rules dictate that no club is allowed to name more than 17 non-homegrown players in their respective squads. A homegrown star is classed as a player who has been registered with an English or Welsh FA-affiliated club for three seasons before turning 21.
Arsenal have eight homegrown players in their 22-man squad but opted not to use the full 25-player quota. Fellow Arsenal academy prospect Max Dowman is also named among the U21s, with the 16-year-old looking to build on his breakthrough campaign.
Dowman captured attention last season as the midfielder made 13 senior appearances in all competitions. Young defender Marli Salmon has featured four times for the Gunners and remains in the U21 category.
The U21 list also includes goalkeeper Tommy Setford, defender Jaden Dixon, midfielder Ife Ibrahim, plus forwards Brando Bailey-Joseph and Andre Harriman-Annous, who all played for Arteta’s side last term. Meanwhile, many of Arsenal’s academy summer signings, such as Elijah Upson and Igor Tyjon, are also eligible to play in the Premier League.
Arsenal star Max Dowman made 13 first team appearances last season(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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However, Lewis-Skelly will be expected to have the biggest impact of all the club’s youngsters. The teenager has started both of Arsenal’s league games in midfield, being selected ahead of Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.
The England international will be determined to keep his spot alongside Declan Rice, despite the fierce competition he faces. Premier League clubs can choose to make changes to their squad lists after the winter transfer window closes in February 2027.
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