Myles Lewis-Skelly has turned his season around in admirable fashion while injecting fresh energy into Arsenal's pursuit of Premier League and Champions League glory. The 19-year-old gem, who has breathed new life into the Gunners' campaign since being unleashed in midfield, admits Mikel Arteta's men are beginning to taste title success.
However, despite the elation of Sunday's dramatic 1-0 triumph at West Ham, the homegrown Hale End hero has made it clear now is not the time to get carried away. He explained: "We feel joy, excitement, fulfilment - everything you can describe. We are buzzing, but we know the job is not done. We've got two more finals left now. The next one is Burnley and then we go on from there. As players, as a fan myself, it's easy to think about what could be. But it is important that we stay in the moment and stay on it."
Overcoming Adversity
Lewis-Skelly is no stranger to overcoming adversity - just like Arsenal did when Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser was chalked off by Chris Kavanagh at the London Stadium. Two wins, against relegated Burnley and Conference League finalists Crystal Palace, will clinch the title. While the task at hand seems straightforward on paper, it will require mental toughness, something Lewis-Skelly has already shown in abundance this season.
He added on his time in the cold prior to his drastic turnaround: "It was tough initially. But, for me, I pride myself on having mental strength. Sport is not one pathway, because there are ups and downs. And it's how you bounce back from that, and how you are in those moments when you face adversity. That is what defines you."
Support System and Preparation
"I spoke with my family and friends. I just told them: 'I don't want to hear all the noise that is coming from social media. Let me stay in this moment, let me continue to face this adversity and let me come out the other side of it.' For me, it is just always being prepared, always feeling like I prepare as a starter - because you never know when your time will come. Luckily for me, it came against Fulham. I feel like I took my opportunity and just helped the team out as much as I can."
"It feels so natural for me to be there. I have been training there a lot, so when I came into there, I felt comfortable and I feel like I took that opportunity."
Future Speculation Dismissed
Should Lewis-Skelly continue to sparkle, it's hard to envisage him leaving Arsenal this summer. In his view, now is not the time for such questions, concluding: "I am focused on the games we have coming up and bringing this club back to glory."
