Opinion: Lewis-Skelly’s growth must not be sacrificed for Bruno Guimaraes

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·3 October 2026

Opinion: Lewis-Skelly’s growth must not be sacrificed for Bruno Guimaraes

Myles Lewis-Skelly has successfully moved back into midfield at Arsenal, but Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival has made his route to regular first-team football far more difficult.

Lewis-Skelly originally broke into the senior side at left back, despite playing most of his academy football in midfield. He has since shown his quality in central areas, where his composure, defensive awareness and ability to receive the ball under pressure have made him a valuable option for Mikel Arteta.

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Midfield Competition Grows

Arsenal’s midfield already includes Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard, while Guimaraes joined from Newcastle United during the summer. That depth means Lewis-Skelly faces a major challenge to retain a regular starting role.

He was left on the bench for Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton before the international break, with Guimaraes selected alongside Rice. The Brazilian’s experience and established Premier League quality make him a strong option, but Lewis-Skelly has shown that he deserves meaningful opportunities as well.

Arsenal have won every Premier League match in which Lewis-Skelly has started in midfield this season. His early performances have demonstrated that he can be effective against high-pressing opponents and contribute at the top level.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

England Confidence Remains

Thomas Tuchel remains a strong admirer of Lewis-Skelly and believes central midfield is a better fit for him than left back. The England manager selected him to start against Spain, and the Hale End graduate responded with an impressive performance despite the defeat.

Lewis-Skelly’s position at international level will ultimately depend on playing regularly for Arsenal. He and Ethan Nwaneri represent the next generation of Hale End talents expected to follow Bukayo Saka into becoming permanent senior figures at the club.

Guimaraes is understandably ahead of Lewis-Skelly in experience, but Arsenal should not allow that to block the youngster’s development entirely. Lewis-Skelly needs time, matches and patience to develop his game, and his potential makes him worth investing in.

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