Mikel Arteta recently highlighted the impressive qualities of Arsenal’s young prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly, praising his courage and commitment on the field.
Lewis-Skelly, a 17-year-old Hale End Academy graduate, was trusted with a critical role in the Premier League match against Liverpool.
Despite a defensive injury crisis, Arteta brought him off the bench, assigning him the challenging task of marking Mohamed Salah.
Though partially involved in the play that led to Liverpool’s equalizer, Lewis-Skelly showcased notable composure and resilience, earning recognition for his bravery in possession and ability to remain calm under pressure.
Arteta, ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash with Preston, commented on the young player’s character, saying, “He doesn’t care; he plays with full belief, a huge personality, and commitment. He possesses the qualities we want in his position, both defensively and in playmaking.”
The emergence of Lewis-Skelly has also impacted Arsenal’s squad dynamics, with Oleksandr Zinchenko seeing reduced playing time.
Arteta acknowledged Zinchenko’s contributions but indicated that Arsenal’s tactical needs have evolved since the Ukrainian’s transformative arrival from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney, another experienced left-back who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, is nearing a return to full fitness after a hamstring injury suffered during Euro 2024.
Arteta expressed optimism, noting Tierney’s recent progress, saying, “He’s looking really sharp…hopefully, he can join the team in training within the next week or two.”
