'Our friendship is special' - Ethan Nwaneri opens up on 'opposite' relationship with Arsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly

Both players have risen through the Arsenal academy ranks together and made a memorable impact during the 2024–25 season. Mikel Arteta handed them their first start together in a League Cup match against Bolton Wanderers and Lewis-Skelly played a key role in the build-up to Nwaneri’s debut goal for the Gunners, further highlighting the chemistry they have on the pitch; a partnership developed through years spent side by side at Arsenal’s Hale End academy.

The dynamic duo committed to their first professional contracts during the 2023–24 season. However, those deals are set to expire after the 2025-26 season. Nonetheless, Arsenal fans can expect to see more fireworks from both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly beyond the next campaign as the club are actively engaged in discussions with the two players, hoping to tie down their long-term futures at the Emirates.

“My relationship and friendship with Myles is so important,” Nwaneri told The Athletic. “We’re so similar but so opposite at the same time. We think the same way, but the way that we might portray it to other people, he might seem more open and I might seem more closed off. Our friendship is special.”

Though just 18, Nwaneri is already making waves on the international scene. He enters this summer as the youngest member of England’s Under-21 squad, a fact made more impressive considering he is 18 months younger than the next-youngest player in the setup. He will look to build on that experience as the Young Lions kick off their Under-21 European Championship campaign against Czechia in their opening group fixture on Thursday before clashing with Slovenia and Germany in what promises to be a tough test for Lee Carsley’s side.