Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has told Sports Mole that young full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly will have a "great career", although he exercised caution over comparisons with Ashley Cole.
The 18-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season at the Emirates Stadium, having made 20 competitive appearances in all competitions this season.
Lewis-Skelly's memorable campaign provided another unforgettable moment in Sunday's home clash against Manchester City, with the left-back scoring Arsenal's third goal in a dominant 5-1 victory.
Having impressed during his fledgeling senior career, the teenager is already being touted for an England call-up ahead of March's international fixtures.
Parlour issues Lewis-Skelly praise
Speaking to Sports Mole, Parlour praised Lewis-Skelly for how quickly he has adapted to first-team football at a young age.
"Absolutely, I've met Myles a few times now, the latest only a couple of weeks ago," Parlour said. "He has a good head on him, a strong family around him and well. He looks well-grounded and has no fear coming into such a big game."
"He has grown a lot since his debut and looking comfortable in the Arsenal defence. He looks to handle the pressure well, which is excellent at such a young age."
Although he has only made 10 top-flight appearances, Lewis-Skelly is already drawing comparisons with former Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole.
Parlour is wary of making such comparisons at such an early stage, although he believes that the defender will go on to have a "great career".
Parlour warns against Ashley Cole comparions
"If Myles goes on to be anything like Ashley, he is in for one hell of a career," Parlour said. "Given Ashley won seven FA Cups and plenty of Premier Leagues and other big trophies, not to mention England caps. For Myles, he needs to keep his head down, keep learning in training and putting in performances week in and week out consistently.
"He has to keep focused on his game and not let anything distract him. But, he has a very bright future, as he only has to look at Saka, who came through the academy and how he has shown excellent consistency in his game.
"The icing on the cake on Sunday was both Ethan Nwaneri and Myles both scored, two Hale End boys who came through the academy. It is great and Arsenal fans love it when an academy player comes through into the first team and does well.
"Each player is their own individual, but recently people mention Ashley Cole and Myles. But it's so too early to make comparisons as Myles has only a few games under his belt, but a great career ahead of him."
As Parlour mentioned, Lewis-Skelly's fellow academy graduate, Nwaneri, also found the net in Arsenal's five-star display against Man City, scoring his seventh competitive goal of the season.
Nwaneri to follow in Saka's footsteps
Nwaneri has made a promising start to his senior career, and Parlour feels that he should use Bukayo Saka as inspiration on how to break into a team and stay there.
"For Nwaneri, he just has to look at the way Saka has burst onto the scene and been such a success for Arsenal. Both of them have huge talent," Parlour added.
Unfortunately for the Gunners, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri were unable to help their side avoid a 2-0 loss in Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United.
As a result, Mikel Arteta's side fell to a 4-0 aggregate defeat, meaning that they have now exited both domestic cup competitions in the last month.
Arsenal will now travel to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp, before they return to action with a Premier League away game against Leicester City on February 15.
Ray Parlour was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of NetBet Sports Betting. body check tags ::
