Arsenal suddenly have another Myles Lewis-Skelly emerging from their academy
Myles Lewis-Skelly is one of the biggest success stories of the Arsenal academy in recent years.
Hale End has produced the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in recent years as well, but none of them had the kind of impact that Lewis-Skelly did.
What was so impressive about the 19-year-old’s breakthrough into the first team was the fact that he was used at left-back despite being a central midfielder by trade.
Lewis-Skelly produced stunning performances as a full-back in his debut season, and he is now back in his natural role in the middle of the park.
Now, Arsenal may have a similar player coming out of their academy.
Theo Julienne could be Arsenal’s new Myles Lewis-Skelly
Theo Julienne made his senior Arsenal debut in the Carabao Cup against Ipswich Town.
The 18-year-old joined the club during a post-Covid trial and has worked his way up the youth sides over the last few years. He has played over 50 games for the U18s, U19s and the U21s.
Julienne is naturally a central midfielder who can play as a number six as well as in attacking midfield. He has played on the right flank too for the academy side.
However, Arsenal slowly seem to be converting him into a right-back, perhaps to accelerate his path to the first team because Jurrien Timber and Ben White have struggled to stay fit over a long period.
That is exactly what happened with Myles Lewis-Skelly when he was in the academy. The first time Mikel Arteta watched him play, he immediately wanted him to become a left-back to help Arsenal’s needs.
Arteta said about Lewis-Skelly in January 2025: “The moment I saw him, the only words I could think is ‘change his position’ if he wants to have a chance here. I spoke to him, and I said: ‘This is where you’re going to have (opportunities).’
“Because I think his qualities fit a lot with the way we play, and it is also because we had necessities in that position. So, we started to work on that. He bought into it straight away with the personality that he has, that is very obvious. And now, he’s doing it.”
Arsenal’s necessity is now at right-back, and we have a feeling Arteta is pushing Julienne to play there just like he did with Lewis-Skelly a few years ago.
The 18-year-old looked good when he came on against Ipswich, and we won’t be surprised at all if he gets more minutes against Fleetwood Town in the next round.