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Why Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly has been compared to a rugby superstar who holds a prestigious World Cup record

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Arsenal have struggled to find many positives in their season so far and especially in recent days following their injury crisis.

Injuries to Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz has certainly dampened spirits around the club and Arsenal fans are showing their frustration at the Arsenal board over the lack of transfer ambition shown.

However, one major bonus to come out of the campaign so far has been the incredible emergence of Hale End duo Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The young stars have been excellent since breaking into the Arsenal first team squad and are both set to play a key role in the Premier League title run-in. Lewis-Skelly has been criticised by Paul Scholes recently but one academy coach has paid him a huge compliment.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals the moment he knew academy duo Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri were ready for first team action – it wasn’t even his call

Arsenal Training Session
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Myles Lewis-Skelly compared to rugby superstar Jonah Lomu

As per The Standard, Lewis-Skelly has shone at youth level for a number of years and seemed destined to make it to the top of the game. His physicality and technical ability stood out and it caused one academy coach to make a flattering comparison.

During an U16 game against Chelsea, Lewis-Skelly drove forward with the ball and burst through midfield, prompting the coach to state: “It’s like Jonah Lomu isn’t it?”

Jonah Lomu was a rugby superstar and represented New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final in 1995, where the All Blacks were defeated by South Africa.

Lomu was known for his physicality but also his flair and technique on a rugby field that made him almost impossible to stop, he is the joint highest try scorer in rugby World Cup history.

High praise for Lewis-Skelly and Mikel Arteta will certainly be looking for the youngster to drive the team forward through their injury crisis as they look for other sources of goals.

Lewis-Skelly has cemented himself as Arsenal left back

Arteta has a tough selection choice at left back but the academy graduate has made the shirt his own in recent weeks ahead of Riccardo Calafiori, especially after scoring against Manchester City.

Now the challenge for Lewis-Skelly will be performing on a consistent basis and helping the team in its quest to catch leaders Liverpool.

Arsenal FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Lewis-Skelly may also be used in midfield from now until the end of the campaign and has shown he has the attributes to become a driving force for the Gunners from the middle of the park.

Wherever Lewis-Skelly plays, fans already know that they can expect full commitment and bags of quality from the talented academy graduate and his contribution could be vital to any chances of silverware this season.