It has arguably never been harder to break through from the Hale End academy into the Arsenal first team.
Mikel Arteta has afforded opportunities to youngsters in the past, and several academy stars have featured heavily for Arsenal throughout this pre-season.
Notably, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly seem to be knocking on the door of the first team. The 17-year-old pair certainly look ready to move on from youth level football and test themselves in the senior game.
Arteta has promised Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly that they will get opportunities for Arsenal this season if they earn them, and their inexperience will not be held against them when it comes to selection decisions.
However, it is hard to see how the Spanish coach can keep his word on this matter, especially in the case of Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Myles Lewis-Skelly during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 16, 2024 in London Colne…
Myles Lewis-Skelly faces huge Arsenal obstacle
With the margins at the top end of the Premier League table now so tight, a single result can make or break a season.
The Gunners will be aiming to win the title this season, and have every reason to believe that they can do so. However, they can scarcely afford to put a foot wrong throughout the campaign if they are to achieve this aim.
In that context, the risk of giving unproven teenagers the game time they need to develop becomes even more pronounced, especially in defensive areas of the pitch.
Despite being a midfielder by trade, Lewis-Skelly has retrained as a left-back. The England under-18 international was used in this position against Bayer Leverkusen in a recent pre-season friendly.
He largely impressed against the German champions, catching the eye with some neat touches and composure under pressure. However, he was also caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Arteta gave Lewis-Skelly feedback on the pitch after the final whistle.
The biggest hurdle Lewis-Skelly will have to overcome when it comes to getting more game time as a left-back, though, is competition from more established figures.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Jakub Kiwior, and new signing Riccardo Calafiori will all be vying for game time in that position this season. There is nothing Lewis-Skelly can do about the queue of players ahead of him, but Arteta can intervene to give him a fighting chance.
Mikel Arteta must clear path for Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal are now arguably overstocked when it comes to left-back options, and the situation could become tricky to manage if players become frustrated with their lack of opportunities.
Arteta must make the decision to move at least one of these left-backs on this summer. In doing so, he will also offer Lewis-Skelly a glimmer of hope that a pathway to regular first team action is being opened up for him.
Meanwhile, Nwaneri will be hoping to replace Emilie Smith Rowe, as the midfielder’s departure has certainly created an opportunity for the youngster at the Emirates Stadium.
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