Paul Scholes Critiques Arsenal's Summer Decisions on Myles Lewis-Skelly
Paul Scholes has delivered a stinging verdict on Arsenal’s summer thinking, accusing the club of targeting the wrong sacrifice as rumours swirl around the future of teenage prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been linked with a surprise exit to Premier League rivals, yet in Scholes’ eyes, it is one of Mikel Arteta’s marquee imports who should be facing the chop instead.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, the Manchester United legend did not hesitate when asked who he would keep.
"I prefer Lewis-Skelly in centre midfield to Zubimendi," Scholes said. "I think Zubimendi struggled last year. If there’s one player you are going to get rid of, it would be him."
That was only the start.
Scholes went on to underline why, for him, moving on a homegrown talent cuts far deeper than offloading an underperforming signing. He drew on his own Old Trafford experience, recalling how the sale of academy products can gnaw away at a club’s identity as much as its squad depth.
He likened the Lewis-Skelly situation to one of the most controversial exits of his United days: the decision to sell Danny Welbeck to North London.
"It reminds me a little bit of when Danny Welbeck left Manchester United. I hated it, didn’t like it. Now, Danny was a little bit older than Myles Lewis-Skelly, but when you’re losing your own players, it’s disappointing."
The message was clear: you protect your own, especially when their ceiling is still unknown.
Carragher baffled by Arsenal stance
Scholes was not alone in his disbelief. Jamie Carragher, watching from the outside but well attuned to how elite clubs should treat elite prospects, admitted he was stunned by suggestions Arsenal had actively floated Lewis-Skelly to domestic rivals.
Reports this week claimed the Gunners had offered the youngster to both Chelsea and Manchester United. For Carragher, that detail changed everything.
"Do you think it’s from his side or the club’s side? That’s the thing that was a little bit strange about it," Carragher said. "It felt almost like Arsenal offered Manchester United Myles Lewis-Skelly. It wasn’t Myles Lewis-Skelly saying I want to leave or his people putting something out. That’s where the shock came from. I still can’t believe it."
The former Liverpool defender then doubled down on his admiration for the teenager’s talent, pointing to the level Lewis-Skelly has already reached on the biggest stages in Europe.
"You can’t play at that level unless you’re pretty special at that age. All young players have ups and downs. Last season he didn’t play as much as he probably would have liked."
For Carragher, that is part of the natural curve, not a reason to cash in.
Arteta keeps his cards close
With the noise growing, attention inevitably turned to Mikel Arteta. Confronted with questions over Lewis-Skelly’s future earlier this week, the Arsenal manager chose to sidestep the storm rather than calm it.
"I’m not going to talk about any speculation," he said. "If there is a speculation about our players, that’s a good sign."
No denial. No reassurance. Just a line that will do little to silence the debate.
On one side stand two former rivals, Scholes and Carragher, united in their belief that a club with title ambitions cannot afford to bleed its best academy products. On the other stands a manager trying to reshape a squad, weighing potential against immediate needs.
Arsenal insist they want to close the gap at the top. The question now is whether they are prepared to risk losing a player many already see as the future to do it.
