"I believe in them" - Arsenal contract talks already 'underway' with stand-out duo against Man City

Arsenal had a fantastic weekend, beating rivals Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

After just two minutes, Martin Odegaard's goal gave them the lead. City then equalised after half-time, before Thomas Partey, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri scored to help the Gunners win the game and fire a warning to title rivals Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side now sit second in the Premier League table, six points behind the Reds, who beat Bournemouth 2-0 in their last game. The Gunners will be keen to get a last-minute deal over the line on transfer deadline day as they continue to look for a striker.

Arsenal duo expected to get contract extensions after Man City success

Arsenal youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri both scored during the game against Man City, with Lewis-Skelly managing to defend excellently throughout the game against the likes of Erling Haaland.

The full-back scored his first goal for the Gunners, whereas Nwaneri scored his third Premier League game of the season. They are both expected to get a contract extension in the coming weeks and months.

According to Fabrizio Romano on X, talks are already underway. He said: “New contracts for Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will be part of the process at Arsenal after the end of the transfer window. Talks already underway.”

Aged 17 and 18 respectively Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have both become a regular part of Arteta’s team selection, and they could become real Arsenal star players in years to come if they both continue to develop at their current rates.

Arteta praises Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri after Man City win

The Arsenal boss was full of praise for the pair after they both netted during the game against City on Sunday.

He was asked in his post-match press conference why he relies on the youngsters so heavily and said: “That I believe in them, that we believe in them, that when I put them next to the boys, they feel that with them, they are as good or better, you know, and that's really, really important and that they play with a lot of purpose, and they played really, to contribute and to make things happen. That's what I like about both of them.”

Lewis-Skelly played the game from the start as Arteta decided to choose him over summer signing Riccardo Calafiori in the starting XI. He scored his first Arsenal goal, to which Arteta said: “I wasn't expecting it. I was talking today with one of our staff members about that he needs to threaten more in the final third when he gets in this position. He wants to make things happen. He takes risks, he takes initiatives and at his age it’s not easy to see.”

Both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly came through the academy at Arsenal, both breaking out as regulars in Arteta’s XI this season. They are now expected to land long-term contracts keeping them at the Emirates for years to come.

In other news, Arsenal are seeking to bolster their attacking options before the 11pm transfer deadline.