Arsenal wonderkid is ‘best talent in 20 years’

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 18 Feb 2025 11:08 GMT
• 3 min read

Shaun Wright-Phillips believes that wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly is the best left back he has seen at Arsenal since Ashley Cole.

The 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly has been one of the breakout stars of the season in the Premier League.

He has established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left back, even pushing big money summer signing Riccardo Calafiori onto the bench.

READ MORE: Premier League top scorers 2024/25

Lewis-Skelly has been so good that he has even been compared to former Arsenal star Ashley Cole, and Wright-Phillips agrees.

What did Wright-Phillips say?

“Ethan Nwaneri, I think he’s a fantastic player, but, honestly, I am a Lewis-Skelly fan. The kid is unbelievable,” Wright-Phillips said.

“I’ll go as far as to say, I’d say he’s the best, not even actual left-back, but he’s the best person I’ve seen at left-back since Ashley Cole.”

READ MORE: Premier League most assists in 2024/25

Cole came through the Arsenal youth system and established himself into one of the best left backs in the world.

He won two Premier League titles and made over 200 appearances before a fallout with the club over a new contract led him to join Chelsea in 2006.

In almost two decades since then, Arsenal have struggled to find a left back close to Cole’s quality.

But there is great excitement in north London that Arsenal may have now found themselves a phenomenal new player in the position.

Myles-Skelly has been linked with earning his first England call-up next month.

The left back position has been a problem area for England in recent years, with a dearth of players in the position.

Last summer at Euro 2024, England often played Kieran Trippier out of position at left back before fielding a half fit Luke Shaw in the 2-1 final defeat to Spain.