Arsenal squad number changes explained after Myles Lewis-Skelly makes decision fans will love

Arsenal have released their new home kit ahead of the new season with football.london . The reveal trailer starts with one key player in focus: Ethan Nwaneri.

A player having come through the ranks, the clip emphasises the idea of having the Arsenal identity running more than just skin deep. Yet it is Nwaneri who is one of the key players getting a number change ahead of the new season.

Previously No.53, Nwaneri is making the switch to 22 as his place in the senior side has been established over the course of the season. Despite playing less frequently of late, Nwaneri remains a critical part of the squad.

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: "There are moments and players are used more and less, and he's played a lot.

"He's played probably more than anybody expected, for sure, and in the last few games, it's because of the games and the context we decided not to play him that much. It can change very quickly."

Having only turned 18, Nwaneri’s more than 30 appearances this season are a testament to his growth and development, rewarded now with a new number. He made his debut wearing '83' against Brentford becoming the Premier League's youngest ever player, before moving to '63' where he made another top tier appearance away at West Ham before this season going to '53'.

He takes the No.22 from goalkeeper David Raya. Having since unquestionably established himself as the club's starting stopper, he will naturally now be adorned with the No.1 shirt.

One player whose number will not be changing, however, is Myles Lewis-Skelly. Like Nwaneri, he has now made his official breakthrough as he has even established himself as a starter, yet has taken the decision to keep his No.49 shirt.

This will bring joy to those looking to buy his shirt with the release of the new kit, and they need not worry about the number changing. While yet to publicly explain his choice, there are some good theories.

One is that the defender's song with the Arsenal supporters is inspired by the number on the back of his shirt which happens to correspond with the 49 matches the Gunners went unbeaten across 2004 and 2005. "49, 49 Lewis-Skelly! 49 49 I say!"

It makes sense he would not want this to change. A great Arsenal number to keep, and it means for most games he starts, he will be the last name read out by the announcer, after Declan Rice, who kept No.41 from his time with West Ham.