Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly Picks Unexpected Tottenham Player as Toughest Premier League Opponent

Arsenal's Young Talent Highlights Surprising Rival

Myles Lewis-Skelly, a promising 19-year-old from Arsenal, recently named Mateus Fernandes of Tottenham Hotspur as his toughest opponent in the Premier League. Despite having faced many top players, Lewis-Skelly singled out Fernandes during the Portuguese midfielder's brief period at West Ham United.

Early Career and Experience

About to turn 20, Lewis-Skelly has already collected an impressive set of achievements, including a Premier League winner's medal and a Champions League final start. With 81 senior appearances and six England caps, he has battled some of the best talents while playing in various defensive and midfield roles under manager Mikel Arteta.

Why Fernandes Stands Out

In a recent chat on the Men In Blazers podcast, Lewis-Skelly did not hesitate when asked about his toughest adversary. He referred specifically to Fernandes's time at West Ham, saying, "Mateus Fernandes, when he was at West Ham," emphasizing the challenge he posed.

Lewis-Skelly also praised Arsenal's new signing, Brazilian international Bruno Guimaraes, highlighting the learning opportunities from a player with such experience. "Bruno brings energy, experience, intensity," the young midfielder said, adding that being around someone like Bruno offers a chance to soak up knowledge and improve.

Fernandes’ Difficult Start at Tottenham

Despite Lewis-Skelly’s respect for him, Fernandes has struggled since his move to English football. After spells with Southampton and West Ham that ended in relegations, he made a high-profile £85 million transfer to Tottenham in the summer of 2026.

His debut season under Roberto De Zerbi has been rocky. In a recent 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, Fernandes was substituted at halftime due to a lackluster performance. De Zerbi defended his choice but expressed that Fernandes must raise his level. "I have big confidence in Mateus, but I didn’t like the performance of Mateus today," De Zerbi explained. He added that Fernandes knows he needs to do better and that the coach believes in his potential.

Competition and Future Prospects for Lewis-Skelly

With Guimaraes now at Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly faces tougher competition for playing time. Although he impressed as a left-back last season, he sees himself mainly as a central midfielder and wants to learn from more experienced teammates to secure a regular role there.

His ability to play multiple positions remains valuable to manager Arteta’s squad as they chase the title. Lewis-Skelly summed up his attitude: "I’m a midfielder. But at the end of the day, it’s all down to the team needs. No player, no individual is bigger than the team goal. Whatever has to help the team, I’ll do it."

Summary of Key Facts

• Player: Myles Lewis-Skelly
• Age: 19
• Club: Arsenal
• Opponent Named: Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham)
• Fernandes' Previous Clubs: Sporting CP, Southampton, West Ham, Tottenham
• Fernandes' Transfer Fee to Tottenham: £85 million
• Manager at Tottenham: Roberto De Zerbi
• New Arsenal Signing: Bruno Guimaraes
• Lewis-Skelly's International Caps: 6 for England
• Senior Appearances: 81