Arsenal fans are furious as Chelsea are offered the chance to sign Hale End star

Arsenal fans have just heard news that will ruin their Tuesday.

According to Football.London, Chelsea have been offered the opportunity to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Manchester United have also been approached.

The report claims that if Arsenal receive a good offer, they would find it very hard to say no.

Sorry, what?

At 19 years old, Lewis-Skelly is one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe, never mind England.

The Hale End academy graduate started in the Champions League final against PSG, and didn’t look at all out of place against Joao Neves and Vitinha.

He was also instrumental in Arsenal’s title run-in, stepping in for Martin Zubimendi and rejuvenating the side’s dip in form.

Mikel Arteta chose to start him in a European final! Surely he won’t sanction this?

From a pure business perspective, it reluctantly makes sense, as any sale would represent “pure profit”, which is extremely beneficial when navigating PSR regulations.

With Bruno Guimaraes arriving for £75million, Arsenal now boast one of the most stacked midfield groups in Europe, joining Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.

Last week, there were rumblings around Zubimendi’s future, and Chelsea then being mooted as a potential destination, given Xabi Alonso’s feelings about the player.

But maybe it’s actually Lewis-Skelly that’s in danger of leaving.

He was being linked to Manchester United earlier this year, but that was at a time he had fallen out of favour.

That talk had gone quiet this summer after his reintegration into the team, but perhaps it’s about to ramp up again following the signing of Guimaraes.

Arsenal absolutely cannot sell Myles Lewis-Skelly to Chelsea

Football is a squad game, and that has become even more clear in recent seasons.

Arsenal will likely play around 60 games again next season — they need top-quality depth if they are to compete on all fronts.

We saw how leggy Declan Rice looked in the World Cup. He needs help this season. That was the whole point in signing Guimaraes, right?

Lewis-Skelly can provide not only cover but genuine competition for these two. As can Zubimendi.

Arteta finally has Manchester City-level midfield depth. Surely they’re not going to throw that away and strengthen a direct rival?

More fundamentally, selling a Hale End graduate, one of the most promising young English players in the country, to Chelsea or Manchester United would be a hideous decision.