Arsenal do not have a prolific academy like Manchester City or Chelsea, who regularly produce elite youngsters who either make the first team or are sold for profit.
Arteta also recently spoke about his frustration at not being able to replicate Barcelona’s legendary La Masia academy in England due to post-Brexit restrictions on signing under-18 players.
But with Bukayo Saka, 23, Nwaneri, 17, and Lewis-Skelly, they are among the top-ranked clubs in the Premier League this season in terms of minutes played by local players.
Former centre-back Per Mertesacker is Arsenal’s academy director and has known Lewis-Skelly since he was part of the under-12 team, having joined the Gunners when he was nine.
“I don’t think there was a particular moment where it looked like he would have a good chance of breaking into the first team,” Mertesacker said.
“I met Myles when he was under-12 and going to youth tournaments with all the ups and downs. Sometimes you win and everyone is excited, and sometimes you lose and you start crying.
“It’s just about understanding where everyone is on their journey.”
Lewis-Skelly has not been unfazed by every challenge thrown his way and Mertesacker says the England youth international has demonstrated that trait throughout his career.
“With Myles, whatever challenge we give him, he seems to be really comfortable and ready.
“That’s probably his main trait to me. If you can stay as calm as possible in those difficult moments, then you have a good chance of having a chance.”
Lewis-Skelly signed his first professional contract in October last year and Arsenal are delighted with the progress he has made this season.
“He rose to the occasion to train with the first team,” Mertesacker added. “He was ready to be ‘coachable’ and stay humble.
“I would say that’s what he has as a person and that always makes me feel safe. If you have that humility to value other people, but you always look to improve.”
Lewis-Skelly’s mother, Marcia Lewis, knows better than most the danger involved in starting a young player’s career.
He runs a platform called NO1Fan.Club, which provides a support network for parents navigating youth football and helps show alternative pathways into the industry for those who don’t make it.
Speaking to BBC Sport last September, Lewis said of his son: “He’s not an Arsenal first-team player, he’s an academy player, he hasn’t made it.”
“He’s got his back, we’ve got his back, but the realities are what they are… he’s competing with multi-million dollar players around the world.”
Mertesacker said “unconditional” support and a “very good foundation from home” have been vital to Lewis-Skelly’s rise.
“It’s not always an upward curve for anyone. When it comes to the first team and the challenges there and the opportunities, it’s not easy.”
