Myles Lewis-Skelly Shows Loyalty to Arsenal in Friendly Draw
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly reinforced his dedication to the club by scoring in a 1-1 friendly match against Italian side Como on Wednesday. The 19-year-old midfielder, amidst transfer rumors involving rivals Chelsea and Manchester United, focused on his performance, showcasing his commitment.
In the match held at Emirates Stadium, Lewis-Skelly capitalized on a mistake by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to open the scoring in the 33rd minute. He celebrated by making a heart sign to the fans and tapping the club badge on his shirt as he returned to the center circle.
Having signed a five-year contract with Arsenal last summer, Lewis-Skelly’s future seemed uncertain after he fell behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie last season, resulting in him becoming Mikel Arteta’s third choice left-back. Although he featured in only five Premier League matches, he found success toward the end of the season in his preferred midfield position.
Arsenal recently bolstered their midfield by signing Bruno Guimaraes, who made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt during the match. Guimaraes came on at halftime, while Lewis-Skelly was substituted in the 62nd minute by fellow summer signing Mikel Merino.
The friendly match saw Como, managed by former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas, equalize with a goal from Martin Baturina in the 43rd minute. Arsenal, however, triumphed in the penalty shootout, winning 4-3, with Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis successfully converting their spots.
Myles Lewis-Skelly appeared to underline his commitment to Arsenal after setting aside transfer speculation to score in Wednesday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Italian club Como.
The 19-year-old has been linked with the Gunners’ Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester United amid uncertainty over his future.
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Starting in midfield, he capitalised on an error from Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to slot the hosts ahead in the 33rd minute at Emirates Stadium.
Lewis-Skelly then made a heart sign to the crowd as he celebrated before tapping the club badge on his shirt on his way back to the centre circle.
The England international signed a five-year contract with Arsenal last summer but his long-term future has come under scrutiny since he fell behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie last term to become Mikel Arteta’s third choice left-back.
While he started only five Premier League games across the course of the campaign, he enjoyed an end-of-season resurgence in his natural role of centre midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt (John Walton/PA)
Arsenal, however, are well-stocked in that position after signing Bruno Guimaraes to join Declan Rice, captain Martin Odegaard and World Cup winners Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino.
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Brazil international Guimaraes, who joined in a £75million deal from Newcastle on Saturday, was introduced at half-time against Como to make his Gunners debut, while Lewis-Skelly was replaced in the 62nd minute by Merino.
The Premier League champions were pegged back by Champions League-bound Como, who are managed by former Gunners midfielder Cesc Fabregas, when Martin Baturina equalised in the 43rd minute.
But Arsenal won the penalty shootout 4-3, with Guimaraes and fellow summer signing Christos Tzolis on target.
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