The 18-year-old has forced his way into the Gunners’ fold this season and is making the most of the opportunities that have been given to him.
For the fourth straight season, Arsenal’s mean squad will center their FA Cup third-round match on the No More Red campaign in partnership with kit supplier Adidas. To honor these occasions, the Gunners don a unique all-white stripe in lieu of their traditional red home colors.
Arsenal has a long history of giving back to the community in their hometown of north London, where they have been ardent supporters for 40 years, despite their widespread fan base and international fame. No More Red, one of their more recent initiatives, aims to curb knife crime and juvenile violence.
Ahead of Sunday’s home game against Manchester United, Myles Lewis-Skelly, a breakout star, talked with GOAL about No More Red, his deeper connection to the program, life with the Gunners first team, and more.
As part of Arsenal’s commitment in three new safe places for children to play football as part of No More Red, the football fields at Harvest Estate, Mayville Estate, and King Square in Islington are being refurbished. Peckwater Estate in Camden is next in line and will open later in 2025. Just last year, more than 500 people used these pitches.
Born in Islington and raised near Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium base in Holloway, Lewis-Skelly is pictured here with Zakaria Hassan, a local hero and youth violence activist. He believed it was essential to lead and provide his face to a campaign focused on this issue.
“This community is mine,” Lewis-Skelly said. This is really important to me because I grew up in north London. The ability to play in a safe setting is essential.
There seem to be a lot of Arsenal supporters present to celebrate this season and, ideally, many more to come. inviting everyone to come together and play football in a safe setting.
Role models are individuals that go above and beyond to better their communities in north London and beyond, and No More Red aims to increase awareness of them.
As demonstrated by his commitment with No More Red, which he attributed to his desire to set an example for others, Lewis-Skelly, who turned 18 in September, is clearly mature for his age.
When asked if he too aspires to be admired and aspirational, he replied, “100%.” It’s crucial to have role models—people you look up to who have gone through comparable experiences—as well as people who are generally compassionate and sympathetic. You have to set an example in order to exhibit that quality, which is why I believe empathy and comprehension are essential.
Lewis-Skelly’s mother, Marcia, is well-known for her own roles in the game. In the summer of 2024, she founded No1Fan.club to help parents of young, aspiring football players navigate the complex world of athletics with a variety of helpful initiatives.
GOAL’s request that Lewis-Skelly pick her as his favorite role model was therefore not surprising. He referred to two of those essential traits that he values most when he said, “My mother, someone I look up to, who’s shown nurturing and understanding.”
Arsenal has always taken pride in bringing in youth talent and nurturing players from the English capital. Lewis-Skelly is not the only player to have played under Mikel Arteta at this fantastic period in Arsenal’s recent history.
Since their early years, Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest player in Premier League history, have been buddies this season. The most recent goal Nwaneri scored was in the 1-1 draw at Brighton last Saturday. Next, of course, is the outstanding illustration of Bukayo Saka, the adored prince of Arsenal who is destined for posterity.
“It’s been a really easy transition, and it’s felt great to see people like Bukayo who have supported me,” Lewis-Skelly said. “The importance of those who came before me has been very beneficial to me. That has been really beneficial to me. Without a doubt, they serve as role models.
Once again, this new Arsenal has a unique personality and still relies heavily on the efforts of its own players. The academy’s crown jewel, Saka, who supported No More Red in previous seasons, is only one example that Lewis-Skelly may follow.
“The senior players have definitely helped me a lot,” he said. Every day, I gain insight from their actions and am motivated by them. I can learn a lot from them, and they are eager to give, which is also great.
It is clear that Lewis-Skelly has considered all of the information that has been shared with him. He has already made 13 senior games this season, including four in the last month as the starting left-back.
One of the rare people who can claim to have joined Arsenal at the age of eight and advanced to the first team is Lewis-Skelly. He has worn a number of jerseys with the famous cannon during his time at the esteemed Hale End academy.
“That means the world, you know.”Being able to wear the shirt every matchday means the world,” he said, before repeating his mother’s contribution. When I make my Champions League debut, you can see how much it means to my mother and my school. For them, it is really crucial.
One of the distinctive features of Arsenal’s No More Red uniforms is that they are not, have never been, and will never be for sale. Since the program started in 2022, only 210 shirts have been given to selected locals, volunteers, community partners, and role models who have benefited the community.
If Lewis-Skelly participates in Sunday’s game against Manchester United, he will be donning the No More Red uniform for the first time.
It’s clean and lovely, and I hope I can participate. He grinned as he gazed down at the detailing on the top and remarked, “It’s fantastic.” It is quite symbolic to wear the shirt when playing in the FA Cup against Manchester United!
