The 18-year-old has forced his way into the Gunners fold this season and is making the most of the opportunities afforded to him
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For the fourth season running, Arsenal's men's team will dedicate their FA Cup third round fixture to the No More Red campaign, in partnership with kit supplier adidas. These occasions are marked by the Gunners donning a special all-white strip, doing away with their traditional red home colours.
Arsenal, despite their fame and following on a global scale, have a long-standing tradition of making a difference to the local community in their north London home, proudly supporting the area for 40 years. No More Red, one of their more modern initiatives, revolves around the prevention of knife crime and youth violence.
Ahead of Sunday's run-out of a growingly iconic all-white kit at home to Manchester United, GOAL sat down with breakout star Myles Lewis-Skelly to talk No More Red, his closer affiliation to the the programme, life in the Gunners first-team and more.
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Abdi Alasow, Arsenal, adidasLocal roots
As part of No More Red, Arsenal have invested in three new safe spaces for youngsters to play football, refurbishing pitches at Harvist Estate, Mayville Estate and King Square in Islington, while Peckwater Estate in Camden is next in line and will open later in 2025. Over 500 people used these pitches last year alone.
Lewis-Skelly, pictured below with local hero and youth violence campaigner Zakaria Hassan, is an Islington native born just a stone's throw away from Arsenal's Emirates Stadium base in Holloway. He felt it was important to him to step up and put his face to such a campaign built around this area.
"This is my community," Lewis-Skelly said. "I'm from north London and so this means a lot growing up here. Just being able to play in a safe place is important.
"It feels like there's a lot of Arsenal supporters here coming together, to be able to celebrate this campaign for hopefully many more years to come. For everyone to be part of it, to come together for a safe place to play football."
AdvertisementRole models
No More Red also aims to turn the community spotlight onto role models, those who go the extra mile to make their world, in north London and beyond, a better place.
Though he only turned 18 in September, Lewis-Skelly clearly has a mature head on his young shoulders, citing the desire to be a role model himself as part of the rationale behind his involvement in No More Red.
"100%," he replied when asked if he wants to receive that sort of admiration and aspiration too. "It's important to have role models, people you look up to who have had similar journeys, but also people in general having a decency to show empathy and understanding. You have to be a role model to show that quality so I feel understanding and empathy is important."
Lewis-Skelly's mother, Marcia, is renowned for her own work within the game. In the summer of 2024, she founded No1Fan.club – an organisation to help parents of young and aspiring footballers through the complex world of sport through various helpful schemes.
It's why it was no surprise that Lewis-Skelly immediately labelled her as his top role model when asked by GOAL. "My mother, someone I look up to, who's shown nurturing and understanding," he answered, calling back to two of those core characteristics he values highly.
Getty ImagesHomegrown heroes
Arsenal have always prided themselves on bringing through academy talent and developing players from the English capital. Lewis-Skelly is not the only star to have featured under Mikel Arteta during this fine period of Arsenal's recent history.
Ethan Nwaneri, the youngest player in Premier League history and someone Lewis-Skelly has rubbed shoulders with at youth level for years, is also making waves this season, most recently scoring in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Brighton. Then, of course, you have the shining example of Bukayo Saka, the darling prince of Arsenal on his way to immortality.
"It's felt really good seeing the likes of Bukayo that have helped me come through, it's been quite a smooth transition," Lewis-Skelly said. "The importance of people like that who have come before me have helped me a lot. That's really helped me out. They're definitely role models."
Getty Images SportAn Arsenal united
This new Arsenal have a clear identity again, and it still relies heavily on the contributions of homegrown players. Saka, a No More Red ambassador in previous seasons and the crown jewel of the academy, is but one example for Lewis-Skelly to follow.
"I'd definitely say the senior players have helped me a lot," he added. "Every day learning from them, the habits that they pick up, inspiring me. I can learn so much from them and they're willing to share, which is also really good."
Whatever has been shared with Lewis-Skelly has clearly been taken on board, too. He's made 13 senior appearances already this season, including four as the starting left-back in the last month alone.
