Who’d have thought Myles Lewis-Skelly would be the next Hale End star to step into this Arsenal team?
The hype was always on Ethan Nwaneri, the young Gunner expected to force his way into the Arsenal lineup.
Towards the end of last season, during pre-season in the summer, and at the start of this season, many were convinced this was the season Nwaneri would be unleashed.
Well, at the moment, it looks like Myles Lewis-Skelly, not Nwaneri, is taking center stage this season.
The young midfielder has taken advantage of coach Mikel Arteta’s left-backs struggling with injuries. His performances at left-back have made it impossible not to play him.
Against Crystal Palace on Saturday evening, Arteta could have opted to start Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, or Riccardo Calafiori. However, he chose the Hale End star because he trusts the teenager can do the job.
In that 5-1 win over Palace, the 18-year-old was absolutely brilliant. He was defensively solid, calm, and composed on the ball, especially under pressure. Physically strong, with unreal vision in his passes, he breaks the lines well and plays beyond his age.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace:
– 18/19 passes completed
– 5/7 duels won
– 2 tackles
– 2 fouls won
– 2 final third entries
– 1/1 take-on completed
The boy is in a class of his own. One could argue, unless you’re world-class, you can’t be this good at 18 in only your second first-team start.
Watching Lewis-Skelly play is a pleasure. In his play, you see Saliba’s composure, White’s ball-carrying, Partey’s progression, and Saka’s strength all in one.
Left-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko should be worried in the second half of the season. They may lose their spot in the team to Lewis-Skelly if they don’t up their game.
Sam P
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Probably not. If we have a full and fit squad I expect White to come back at RB and Timber to be at LB. Then there is Calafiori and Tamiyasu, but I put him ahead of Zinchenko who must surely be moving towards the exit now.
For MLS it’s a NO unless Calafiori is injured and depending on the opposition. Kiwior/Zichenko could be better off depending on the opposition. MLS has been impressive so far but the experience of Calafiori showed when he came in against CPalace.. playing against very physical opposition and pacey tricky wingers Imo, MLS may struggle. So as a regular for Arsenal first 11, at the moment it’s a NO for me.
MLS is a fantastic addition and bonus to the squad. I think he has essentially solidified Tierney ‘s exit in the summer if not sooner. And that’s no bad thing for the club or the player.
He may well go on to become the first choice LB but for now I suspect that will remain with Calafiori unless he has a huge drop off in performance or does something Arteta doesn’t like.
With respect the writer of the article is getting carried away by what was a solid but limited performance but not the wonderful one he suggests.The young midfielder is doing well but he does not have the pace or power to augment his natural football intelligence to make him a real threat to opponents.He is still learning his trade and lets hope his development will lead to continued improvement.
👍 Spot on again Grandad
Tierney is gone regardless, Arteta clearly does not rate him enough to compete for LB.
MLS is ready to compete and rotate in LB, clearly shown that at this point. Needs consistent performances and quality over 2nd half of this season, then maybe could compete for LB starts.
People want 2 players in every position, but don’t want their favorites getting benched or left out.
Timber our best RB; faster, more aggressive and better defensively than White. I like BW, good player, but Timber is better. I don’t want to see Timber switched to the LB just to play White at RB.
Forgot to mention Zinchenko; think his time is done.
MLS can fill that squad place and replace Zinchenko. He is too injury prone and bad defensively for LB, and MLS needs the game time more than a defensive liability like Zinchenko.
A young lad, who isn’t a LB and has a mountain to prove. Lets not go over the top with him too soon and see where he can improve. He has got promise but that has to be fulfilled. He is a long way from that.
Saka started at LB I think when he first started ?
MLS could well be used further forward esp as he has both attacking and defensive skills !
Great to see him and Nwaneri coming thru…just shows the other youngsters should have stayed to fight for their place
Yes ,Saka started to get in the 1st team at left back.
Just a simple question Sam P…. why do you think MA chose Tierney over MLS in the previous game?
Like a younger version of Timber, and we all know what happened.
The kid looks great, but do not overuse an under 20 something or he will break!