Arsenal could unearth next Declan Rice as Hale End gem ‘learning’ from £105m man

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Myles Lewis-Skelly sees Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice as something of a mentor.

Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly has opened up about his experiences of training regularly with Declan Rice and the rest of Mikel Arteta’s first team squad.

The Hale End academy gem is one of the most highly-rated prospects on the books at the north London club. He has been seen on the bench for the first team several times, but is yet to make his senior debut.

Plenty of Arsenal fans have urged Arteta to hand the 17-year-old a chance to shine on the biggest stage. It surely can’t be too long now before Lewis-Skelly does make his bow. He certainly appears to be being groomed to play a role in the first team at some point.

Lewis-Skelly has now spoken out about his experiences of training with the first team and about how he sees himself as a player. As quoted by the club’s official website, the teenage sensation said, “my best position is either a No. 6 or No. 8. I’m not too sure yet but I’m just continuing to try my best to master both. Whatever it takes, I’m ready to play in the 6 or 8 role. I wouldn’t say I model my game on anyone because I’m my own player, but I look up to players and try to implement bits into my game.” 

“There’s so much learning I can take from Declan Rice, for example. Every time I look at him I’m watching him and looking to see how he’s at the top of his game. What he’s good at, I can use it in my game and try to reach the top.” 

Could Arsenal have the next Declan Rice in Myles Lewis-Skelly?

Rice is certainly a sensational role model for Lewis-Skelly to have. The £105 million former West Ham United man has been exceptional since joining the club in the recent summer transfer window, and has a very complete skillset. He is able to protect the back four and snuff out opposition counter-attacks, and also excels on the ball with his ability to produce surging runs up the pitch. He can also pose a real threat in the final third, as evidenced by the three goals he has already chipped in with this season.

Arteta will be pleased to see Lewis-Skelly trying to incorporate elements of Rice’s game into his own. If the younger can hit anything like the heights that the England star has reached in the future then he will be a hugely popular figure at the Emirates Stadium.

For now, Lewis-Skelly just has to keep working hard and doing all of the right things in training to try and catch Arteta’s eye. Hopefully, the chance for him to make his debut will then soon follow. He is not the only youngster in a similar position at the club. The likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa, and Reuell Walters are all also highly thought of at the club.