Myles Lewis-Skelly Picks Mateus Fernandes as Toughest Premier League Rival
Myles Lewis-Skelly has named Tottenham midfielder Mateus Fernandes as the toughest Premier League opponent he has faced, pointing to the Portuguese player’s time at West Ham despite a senior career that has already put the Arsenal teenager up against leading names in England and Europe.
Lewis-Skelly, 19, is nearing his 20th birthday with a Premier League title, a Champions League final appearance in the starting side, 81 first-team outings and six England caps already on his record. He has featured in both defensive and midfield positions during his rapid rise under Mikel Arteta.
Asked to identify the opponent who had made the greatest impression on him, the Arsenal academy graduate selected Fernandes, who spent a short period with West Ham after arriving in English football from Sporting CP in 2024.
“Mateus Fernandes, when he was at West Ham,” Lewis-Skelly said.
Fernandes facing demands at Tottenham
Fernandes has experienced a difficult period since moving to England. He was relegated in successive seasons with Southampton and West Ham before Tottenham completed an £85 million move for him during the summer.
His early months under Roberto De Zerbi have not been straightforward. Fernandes was withdrawn at the interval in Tottenham’s recent 3-2 loss to Aston Villa, with Mohammed Kudus introduced in his place after a subdued first-half display.
De Zerbi insisted the change did not reflect a lack of belief in the midfielder, but made clear that he expects more from a player signed for a major fee.
“I have great confidence in Mateus, but I was unhappy with what he produced today,” De Zerbi said. “If not, I would not have taken him off. He understands that. It is not criticism for its own sake; I love Mateus and there is no issue. But we need more from him because he is capable of it, including in that role.”
Guimaraes offers a midfield reference point
Lewis-Skelly also spoke warmly about Bruno Guimaraes following the Brazil international’s move to Arsenal. The England player sees the experienced midfielder as a valuable figure to learn from as he looks to establish himself more regularly in central areas.
“Bruno has energy, experience and intensity,” Lewis-Skelly said. “I was really pleased when I heard he was coming because he is someone whose ideas you can learn from. He is a winner and he plays in a similar area of the pitch. I want to take in as much as I can from him, and that will be very important.”
Guimaraes’s arrival increases the competition for midfield places at Arsenal, where Lewis-Skelly made a major impact at left-back during his breakthrough season. However, the teenager continues to regard central midfield as his preferred position.
His ability to cover different roles remains an important option for Arteta’s side as they pursue the title. Lewis-Skelly said individual preference will not come ahead of the collective target.
“I see myself as a midfielder,” he said. “But it comes down to what the side requires. Nobody is more important than the team objective. Whatever helps the team, I will do.”
