By Jack Beam
Arsenal fans are understandably still shaping their own thoughts when it comes to a good European campaign and further consolidation under manager Mikel Arteta by finishing in the Premier League runners-up spot in the 2024/25 campaign, but it is of course tinged with frustration and disappointment that we could not get ourselves over the line and take what we all want, which is the PL crown back in our own hands.
Gunners fans are expecting quite a busy transfer window this summer as Arteta again reshapes his squad and adds further quality to our first team grouping given the players that we know will most likely be off this summer, and of course, there is the long-standing discussion to be had about a far more died in the wool striker that would certainly have helped with the number of draws that we picked up last term.
Whilst we continue to wait for real and proper transfer moves this summer given the departures that we have seen both on a sale and end-of-contract front, the club are clearly not resting on their laurels and contract negotiations for England defender Myles Lewis-Skelly have finally come to a conclusion and for fans who like a flutter, or even game with the likes of binance casino, given his potential that is the win we all wanted to see.
After plenty of speculation and media rumours the 18 year old has now reportedly agreed to the outline terms of the extended contract that has been in discussion for the last few number months. With the left back’s existing contract still to run until the summer of 2026, his more recent development shows that it makes more than sense to immediately tie him down to longer terms purely to protect ourselves and hopefully stave off any future interest in his services.
Having come through our Academy ranks and initially making his professional debut with our Under 21 group in the 2022/23 revamped Football League Trophy competition, his proper senior debut came under Arteta back in the Manchester City clash last September and the 2024/25 campaign became a great breakthrough year for him. Across all competitions, including our European campaign, the young lad went on to make 26 starting appearances, with a further 13 showings from the substitutes bench and chipped in with one goal and one assist.
Whilst many may argue that it was a bit premature, his form saw him called up to the England international squad for the March based World Cup clashes against Albania and Latvia, and having featured in both games he scored his debut international goal in the Albania game to become the youngest player in history to find the net on their full Three Lions debut. He kept his place in the squad for matches earlier this month as well.
In recognition of his breakthrough year and the performances he put in he was also named on the shortlist for the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Young Player of the Year award alongside the likes of Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Ethan Nwaneri.
Given the season he has just had, optimism will be high for his future development curve and everyone will simply be hoping that he can maintain his existing standard and then show steady improvement as the future months pass.
