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

Myles Lewis-Skelly, the 19-year-old Arsenal prospect, recently revealed that Mateus Fernandes, a Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, stands out as the toughest player he has faced in the Premier League. Despite having the chance to single out some of the division’s top stars, Lewis-Skelly surprised many by highlighting Fernandes, whom he battled during the latter’s time at West Ham.

Lewis-Skelly’s Rising Career

Approaching his 20th birthday, Lewis-Skelly has already achieved a remarkable career start, boasting a Premier League winner’s medal and a Champions League final start. With 81 senior appearances and six England caps to his name, he has encountered several world-class players in both defensive and midfield roles under manager Mikel Arteta.

Though exposed to many elite talents, he chose Fernandes based on their encounters when the Portuguese midfielder played for West Ham.

Praise for Fernandes Despite Challenges

On the Men In Blazers podcast, Lewis-Skelly was quick to name Fernandes as his toughest Premier League adversary, stating, "Mateus Fernandes, when he was at West Ham."

The Arsenal midfielder also spoke highly of Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes, who recently joined Arsenal. He described Bruno as an energetic and experienced teammate who offers a lot to learn from, saying, "Bruno brings energy, experience, intensity. When I heard he was joining, I was super happy because he’s someone to learn from and pick the brain of. He’s another winner who plays in a similar position, so you can always learn from him. Being a sponge to Bruno is going to be really impactful."

Fernandes’ Difficult Time at Spurs

Fernandes' time in English football has been difficult since moving from Sporting CP in 2024. After consecutive relegations with Southampton and West Ham, he transferred to Tottenham in a hefty £85 million deal.

His start under manager Roberto De Zerbi has been rocky. During Tottenham’s recent 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, Fernandes was substituted at halftime after a poor showing. De Zerbi defended his decision, saying, "I have big confidence in Mateus, but I didn’t like his performance today. He knows it. It’s not an attack on Mateus; I love Mateus. But we need more from him because he can deliver, even in that role."

Competition and Ambitions at Arsenal

Looking ahead, Lewis-Skelly faces tough competition for playing time following Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival. Although he made his breakthrough primarily as a left-back, he views himself as a central midfielder and aims to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his experienced teammates to secure a regular midfield spot.

His versatility remains valuable to Arteta’s squad chasing the title. He stated, "I’m a midfielder. But at the end of the day, it’s all about the team’s needs. No individual is bigger than the team goal. Whatever helps the team, I’ll do it."