Arsenal and England defender ‘forever grateful’ to Arteta after signing new contract

Arsenal and England prodigy Myles Lewis-Skelly has spoken about his grandmother being ultimately season’s north London derby and thanked supervisor Mikel Arteta for altering his place after signing a brand new five-year contract on the membership.

PFA Younger Participant of the Yr nominee Lewis-Skelly made 39 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25 after profitable a beginning place in December and scored on his England debut in opposition to Albania at Wembley Stadium in March as a part of a exceptional rise for the 18-year-old.

“It’s simply the supervisor placing belief in me,” Lewis-Skelly stated of his highlights for the season, chatting with Arsenal’s web site. “With out him seeing me as a left-back, I wouldn’t be right here, so I’m totally grateful and without end grateful to him.

“By way of on the pitch, I’ll say the north London derby and my grandma being there. I’m an Arsenal fan, so I understand how a lot it means to them.”

Lewis-Skelly contract: Defender ’embodied’ Arsenal values

A midfielder for a lot of his youth profession, Lewis-Skelly joined Arsenal as an eight-year-old and performed each minute of their run to the Youth FA Cup closing at Beneath-18 degree in 2022/23, scoring a late winner in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the semi-finals.

The Londoner’s senior debut got here at left-back in opposition to Metropolis at Etihad Stadium in a 2-2 draw on September 22, and Lewis-Skelly has significantly fond reminiscences of the 2-1 dwelling win over Spurs on January 15 in one in every of his 15 league begins.

“Aside from my precise household, the gamers and employees from Arsenal [are] who I’ve spent the longest time with,” he stated. “I dwell in north London, so everybody and every little thing’s right here.

“For me, the work doesn’t cease right here. It continues. Simply staying within the current second is essential for me and being the perfect particular person I could be every single day, that’s the aim.

“I’ve embodied the values of [academy] Hale Finish and are available via. I’ve nonetheless received loads of years forward of me, so if I can maintain staying humble and being an excellent particular person, that’s an important factor to me.

“It’s an honour seeing everybody who’s come earlier than me. It’s very humbling to see. Simply being part of that record now, I’m grateful.

“I desire a legacy. I need to win every little thing there may be to win within the recreation. I need to win trophies on the largest phases whereas being an individual who’s at all times studying and stays grounded, which is so essential.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly stats

Arsenal gave Lewis-Skelly knowledgeable contract as a 17-year-old and his first begin got here instantly after that look at Metropolis in a 5-1 dwelling win in opposition to Bolton Wanderers within the EFL Cup.

He grew to become the youngest Arsenal participant to start out a Champions League recreation since 2011 within the 3-0 win over Monaco on December 11 and scored his first Gunners aim in a 5-1 dwelling win in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League on February 2.

Two assists within the Champions League adopted: one within the 7-1 away win in opposition to PSV Eindhoven within the final 16, the opposite for Mikel Merino within the 3-0 dwelling win over Actual Madrid on Arsenal’s solution to ousting the holders within the quarter-finals.

Lewis-Skelly began the season representing England Beneath-19s however took 20 minutes to attain the primary aim of Thomas Tuchel’s reign, profitable two caps since.

PFA Younger Participant of the Yr. 🏆

The High Six. Chosen by the gamers. ⤵️#PFAawards pic.twitter.com/bI8mvd4Ngu

— PFA (@PFA) June 19, 2025

Myles Lewis-Skelly wage, wages

Arsenal additionally gave Lewis-Skelly a brand new contract in October 2023, with Capology placing his earlier gross annual wage at £4,000 every week or £208,000 yearly.

The brand new deal is more likely to have massively elevated these sums. “I nonetheless have extra expectations for myself,” he stated. “I need to obtain extra.

“I need to attempt increased. I simply need extra for myself, extra for my crew and to continue learning. I’m so proud and completely happy. I do know these phrases are easy, however they sum up how I really feel signing for this membership.

“I’m a fan and it’s like a dream come true. I do know I’ve taken loads of expertise from the video games concerning the optimistic moments, the errors that I’ve made.

“I’m undoubtedly extra prepared now for the subsequent season. I simply need to continue learning and maintain enhancing.”

Arsenal fixtures 2025/26

Having completed 10 factors behind Premier League winners Liverpool final season, Arsenal begin the 2025/26 marketing campaign with one other version of their traditional rivalry with Manchester United.

Arteta takes his gamers to Outdated Trafford on August 17 (16:30 BST) in what may even be the beginning of Ruben Amorim’s first full season accountable for United.

Arsenal then host Championship winners Leeds United on August 23 earlier than visiting Liverpool every week later (each 15:00).