Former Arsenal youth player Jamie O’Hara has warned the club against selling teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Jamie O’Hara has urged Arsenal to keep Myles Lewis-Skelly and not sell to rivals Chelsea or Manchester United, warning that allowing the teenager to depart would become a costly mistake.
Lewis-Skelly’s future has attracted increased attention after reports suggested that the Arsenal academy graduate had been made available to potential suitors this summer. Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with the versatile youngster, although neither club appears prepared to meet Arsenal’s valuation at this stage.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a major breakthrough last season, becoming an important member of Mikel Arteta’s squad. Although primarily a left-back by trade, Lewis-Skelly demonstrated his ability to operate in midfield and was particularly impressive in the final phase of the season.
Speaking about the possibility of Chelsea or Manchester United making a move, O’Hara encouraged both clubs to test Arsenal’s resolve but insisted that the Gunners should stand firm.
He said via Sky Sports: “Yeah, test it for sure. I feel if you are Man United – you’re looking in and saying, is there something in this kid, yeah absolutely, put a bid in and test the resolve (of Arsenal) and see where it goes. If Arsenal let him go to Man United or Chelsea, I guarantee you in a year’s time they’ll regret that decision. It’s a sackable offence to let him leave your club.”
O’Hara’s comments underline the growing belief that Lewis-Skelly possesses the potential to become a top-level Premier League player. His versatility, technical ability and willingness to operate in different areas of the pitch have made him particularly valuable to Arteta.
Why Lewis-Skelly might be tempted by a move away
The situation is complicated by increased competition at Arsenal. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are Arteta’s preferred options at left-back, and midfield has been further strengthened by the addition of Bruno Guimaraes.
Yet Lewis-Skelly’s age and positional flexibility make patient development worthwhile, positioning him as a long-term asset worth retaining. In a long season, where the Gunners are expected to compete on multiple fronts, a player with his abilities could come in handy.
Chelsea and Manchester United may continue to monitor the situation, but Arsenal have little reason to rush into a sale. For the North London club, a sale would hand a rival a versatile, academy-developed talent, an outcome the club can afford to avoid.
