Mikel Arteta has addressed Myles Lewis-Skelly’s growing reputation for ill-discipline, warning the teenager to be mindful of his approach after another close call in the Champions League. The 18-year-old was sent off in his last Premier League outing against West Ham and narrowly avoided the same fate against PSV this week.
Arsenal cruised to a 7-1 win in Eindhoven, but Lewis-Skelly’s early booking and reckless late tackle nearly changed the game. The referee chose not to issue a second yellow, but Arteta took no chances, substituting the youngster after just 35 minutes to avoid further risk.
This isn’t the first time Lewis-Skelly has run into trouble. He received a straight red card against Wolves in January, which was later overturned, and picked up a yellow card before even making his Premier League debut against Manchester City. His overall record two yellows and one red in 12 league appearances suggests a pattern that Arteta wants to correct before it escalates.
Speaking in a press conference, Arteta revealed that he had spoken to the teenager after the dust had settled. The Arsenal manager emphasized the importance of learning from these situations while maintaining Lewis-Skelly’s aggressive and courageous playing style. Finding the right balance, Arteta explained, is key to ensuring he doesn’t put the team at unnecessary risk.
Arteta acknowledged that decision-making on the pitch is a learning process for all players, not just the younger ones. He stressed that understanding when to take risks and when to play it safe is crucial, particularly in high-stakes moments. The Arsenal boss believes Lewis-Skelly was fortunate this time, learning from a near-miss rather than a costly mistake.
“He was lucky to learn after a win,” Arteta said. “That’s much better for confidence and for how the team perceives you.” He added that even senior players continue to refine their judgment on the pitch, with positional awareness often determining the severity of a mistake.
Despite his disciplinary concerns, Lewis-Skelly has impressed this season, earning a growing role in Arteta’s squad. He will be available for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Manchester United after serving his suspension for the red card against West Ham.
Arsenal will travel to Old Trafford without key players, including Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. With injuries mounting, Arteta will need every available player including Lewis-Skelly to be disciplined and composed as they push for crucial results.