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Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly has done something that no other defender in the Premier League has done this season

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Myles Lewis-Skelly is enjoying an exceptional breakthrough season at Arsenal.

The Hale End star has risen to prominence under Mikel Arteta this campaign, establishing himself as the Gunners’ first-choice left-back.

Earning his first England cap in March, Lewis-Skelly is now dominating in the Champions League, delivering two sensational performances against Real Madrid in recent weeks.

The 18-year-old has made 31 appearances this season for the first team and will certainly make many more in an Arsenal shirt if his development continues to be this rapid.

Arsenal FC v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Myles Lewis-Skelly leads the Premier League in one statistic

Having spent most of his time in midfield in Arsenal’s youth set-up, there were some question marks about whether Lewis-Skelly would be able to cope defensively at left-back against some of the best wingers in world football.

However, the teenager has calmed these concerns in emphatic fashion, producing nearly flawless defensive displays consistently since coming into the team.

This is supported with an incredible statistic – Lewis-Skelly is the only defender in the Premier League this season not to be dribbled past one, of those who have made at least 15 appearances.

An incredible indictment of his one-on-one defensive ability, the starlet is massively exceeding expectations out of possession.

His physical strength, ability to read what the opponent wants to do and outstanding positioning allow him to prevent tricky wingers from eluding him.

While Jurrien Timber has developed a reputation as Arsenal’s primary lockdown defender, Lewis-Skelly is quickly showing that he’s also in this category.

Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrating during a game against Real Madrid
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Myles Lewis-Skelly is also excellent on the ball

While Lewis-Skelly excels in duel-winning and everything else on the defensive side of the game, he’s also getting better and better on the ball.

Retaining possession at an elite level, the England international can receive the ball in tricky situations and he almost always emerges with it at his feet.

Boasting exceptional close control and incredible upper body strength, he’s able to carry the ball through lines of pressure, often drawing fouls or simply eluding the opposition.

Lewis-Skelly’s Statistics 2024/25 (Premier League Only)
Appearances17
Pass Accuracy90.3%
Progressive Passes per 904.85
Passes into the Final Third per 904.77
Fouls Won per 903.08
Dribbled past per 900.0
Lewis-Skelly’s Premier League Statistics 2024/25 – via FBRef – correct as of 18/04/2025

In terms of his passing, his distribution in between the lines is getting more adventurous by the week as he grows in confidence.

Initially playing relatively conservatively in possession, he’s started to punch more aggressive passes into dangerous areas, and this is is reflected in the data, with his progressive passing numbers coming on substantially the longer he’s been in the team.