30/09/2026
'It's vital': Thierry Henry praises Arsenal for keeping Myles Lewis-Skelly
Thierry Henry has praised Arsenal for keeping Myles Lewis-Skelly at the club after the academy graduate made a strong start to the season.
Lewis-Skelly has established himself as an important part of Mikel Arteta’s squad and has also earned a place in the England squad.
Henry believes it was vital for Arsenal to retain the 20-year-old, while highlighting the importance of academy players continuing to make their way into the first team.
"It’s vital. As Arsenal fan, we like to see Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman – and the list goes on – coming through and playing for Arsenal Football Club. It’s very important. Along the way you’re of course going to go and buy players, but it’s always good to see successful academy players coming through and playing for Arsenal, otherwise what’s the point having an academy?
"It’s not just because Lewis-Skelly is from the academy, though, it’s because he’s performing and he helped us last year when it mattered. When Mikel dropped him into midfield, he answered the call right away. He has carried on doing what he’s doing, and you reward that performance. He’s playing regularly and now he has been selected to hopefully go and play for England. That’s all you can wish for," Henry has said.