Fran García faces the new season with excitement. After several years of quiet work, he finally sees his effort rewarded. Xabi Alonso trusts him, and everything suggests that he will be one of the undisputed starters if no more signings arrive for his position. The coach values him for his intensity, his tactical maturity, and his ability to adapt to different game situations.
Fran's smile is no coincidence, especially today. The reason is clear: one of the players who had most hindered his progress, the one who seemed destined to take his place in the future, has chosen a different path.
The full-back who was on Real Madrid's radar has renewed with Arsenal until 2030. It's a sigh of relief for Fran, who now sees a clearer path in his fight to establish himself in the starting eleven.
The executioner chooses to stay in London
Lewis-Skelly has been one of the most talked-about names in European soccer this season. At 18 years old, he has played 42 matches with Arsenal's first team.
Although his offensive numbers aren't remarkable—two assists and one goal—his impact has been enormous. In building from the back, he has been key. He moves like a midfielder but plays as a full-back; he's modern, elegant, and bold.
Off the field, he has also left his mark. The Gunner fans adore him for his attitude, his commitment, and that sense of belonging that's so rare to see nowadays. Renewing with Arsenal until 2030 hasn't been a simple contractual gesture: it's been a statement of intent.
An Arsenal that no longer serves as a stepping stone
Mikel Arteta's project is no longer a promise; it's a consolidated reality. The club, despite not winning the Premier League in a weak year for City, has shown character and quality. In the Champions League, it eliminated Real Madrid and stood up to PSG in high-voltage semifinals. That has changed the mentality of young talents.
Before, Arsenal was a stepping stone; now it's a destination. Lewis-Skelly knows it. That's why he has said "yes" to wearing red until 2030. He hasn't wanted to listen to the siren songs from Madrid, Paris, or Munich; he has preferred to keep growing where he's been trusted.
Fran looks to the future with optimism
With his "executioner" renewing far from Bernabéu, Fran García gains peace of mind. It's not that he lacks ambition, but he knows that every detail counts in a career as competitive as his. If Real Madrid doesn't strengthen his position, he will have a great opportunity—perhaps the clearest since he arrived.
Soccer is full of twists and turns, but today Fran can celebrate. One of his biggest obstacles has changed course. The path is clearer, and he's ready to take advantage of it.