Arsenal's promising young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly has received surprising endorsement from former professional footballer Jamie O'Hara, who claims the 19-year-old would immediately break into Liverpool's starting lineup if a January transfer materialises.
International Dreams at Stake
The Gunners academy graduate finds himself at a career crossroads after managing just 87 minutes of Premier League football this season without a single top-flight start. This limited game time has already cost the teenager his place in the England squad for upcoming matches against Serbia and Albania.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has delivered a stark warning to Lewis-Skelly, emphasising that regular first-team minutes are essential if he hopes to secure a spot in the squad for the 2026 World Cup. This development has prompted several unnamed Premier League clubs to closely monitor his situation ahead of the winter transfer window.
O'Hara's Bold Liverpool Claim
Despite Arsenal's reluctance to sell any players in January, O'Hara believes Lewis-Skelly could force a move that would see him become an instant starter at Anfield. Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit made the controversial assertion that the Arsenal youngster would displace both veteran Andy Robertson and £40 million summer signing Milos Kerkez in Liverpool's defence.
"I love Robertson, but his performances this season mean they are probably looking elsewhere," O'Hara stated. "Kerkez hasn't been good enough. Lewis-Skelly would start for Liverpool. He doesn't start for Man City or Arsenal, but outside of that, it's up for debate. He'd start for most Premier League sides."
Loan Move Speculation Intensifies
O'Hara further suggested that if Arsenal refuse to sanction a permanent transfer, Lewis-Skelly might request a temporary move to secure the playing time he desperately needs. "If he genuinely wants to get into that World Cup squad and he needs to play football, he will go and ask Arteta," O'Hara predicted.
"He'd say, 'Look, I want to go out on loan in January, I need to go on loan to another Premier League side and play every week.'" However, this viewpoint conflicts with former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn's assessment from September, where he firmly rejected the possibility of a loan departure.
Winterburn argued that with Arsenal competing across multiple competitions, the young defender would receive sufficient opportunities without needing to seek temporary employment elsewhere. As the January window approaches, Lewis-Skelly's future remains one of the most intriguing subplots in the Premier League transfer market.
