Is it time for Mikel Arteta to play Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield? | OneFootball

In a season with plenty of challenges for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, a shining light has been the emergence of teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The 18-year-old has broken into the first team this season with the Gunners’ well documented injury problems presenting an opportunity for the youngster.

And he has certainly taken it. Lewis-Skelly has made 14 Premier League appearances under Arteta this season as well as playing six times in the Champions League.

His performances for Arsenal convinced new England boss Thomas Tuchel to call him up to his first England squad too. He was handed an opportunity from the start against Albania for his Three Lions debut and scored the first goal in a 2-0 win, finishing calmly after being played in by Jude Bellingham.

Lewis-Skelly’s start in senior football has come as a left-back and he has certainly shined in that role, having also been given the freedom for both club and country to roam and take up different positions, which certainly makes sense given his background.

His natural position is as a central midfielder having played there for Arsenal’s youth teams, and he certainly has the profile and skillset to thrive in a more central role in the future.

He has often drifted into midfield as an inverted full-back, a common tactical feature of Arteta’s teams. He is comfortable in tight spaces, with the control, speed and aggression to maintain possession of the ball under pressure.

His athleticism makes him a real threat in forward areas too. He is brilliant at driving forward and causing problems for opposition defences.

But while Lewis-Skelly has had the opportunity to show this at certain times, his defensive responsibilities at left-back mean he is somewhat limited as to what he can do in forward positions.

The 18-year-old looks a real talent at left-back but perhaps a midfield role could unleash him even more, and could even help Arsenal to improve too.

Arteta has been left woefully short of striker options because of injuries and their inability to add a forward in the January transfer window. Mikel Merino has filled the void admirably but Arsenal’s lack of goals has already cost them in the Premier League of late, including in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham and goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

Lewis-Skelly is not the striker Arsenal are missing but using him in a more advanced role could certainly help address the lack of goals. He has already shown he has an eye for one, scoring on his England debut and also against Manchester City earlier this season.

His directness driving at defences and ability to run in behind too could help drag players out of position and free up space for his other attacking team-mates.

And with the game against Real Madrid fast approaching, Arteta must find solutions to his side’s attacking issues if they are to progress. Find the latest Champions League betting odds.

Arteta has already suggested Lewis-Skelly’s future could lie in midfield, saying: “He is very intelligent, very willing and very physical. If you have those three ingredients and you have a personality that can go through blips — it can happen — that is Myles. That is what he has done.

“He can do as a 6 and an an 8. It will depend a lot on the relationships and the chemistry with other players, how this evolves within the team.

“And football, which direction it goes , what demands of certain positions as well. He is certainly a player that can play a in lots of positions.”

Riccardo Calafiori’s injury for Italy is a concern but if it is not serious, Arteta has plenty of options at left-back including Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber too now Ben White is back available at right-back, potentially freeing up Lewis-Skelly to further prove his potential in a more advanced role.