Miles Lewis-Skelly has found it difficult to get minutes for Arsenal this season, with Mikel Arteta admitting it has been a learning curve for both him and the teenager.
Miles Lewis-Skelly impressed in midweek in a rare start for Arsenal this season (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has admitted he had to go through the process of “getting to understand Miles Lewis-Skelly better” as Arsenal’s star player starts this season.
The teenage sensation made his breakthrough last season, playing regularly in the second half of the season, but has seen his minutes significantly reduced this year. Lewis-Skelly has started just three Premier League games.
One of these came in the Gunners’ recent win over Fulham, which saw them extend their lead at the top of the table, and he was subsequently introduced in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final. He impressed in the win over Atletico Madrid, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
Arteta admitted that while Luiz-Skelly will always face a reality check at some point, the player himself needs to know what is expected of him if he is not selected.
He said: “I think it was probably a process of understanding him better, understanding the standards that are required when playing or not playing at this level, understanding why he plays or doesn’t play the same way. And then he became extraordinary.”
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“His attitude, the way he trains, the way he supports the players when he’s not playing and when we tried to give him an opportunity, he gave us every indication that he was going to respond the way he did.
“But it’s not easy for him to go through that and look like he’s playing with that much confidence, that much energy, that determination, especially when he hasn’t played that much, it’s amazing.”
Lewis-Skelly was called up to England’s national team and could have played in this summer’s World Cup, but he has since fallen out of contention due to a lack of playing time.
Mikel Arteta admits he has been tough on Arsenal’s young players this season
Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel has publicly stated that Arsenal players will miss out on the competition if they do not play more regularly.
The 19-year-old spent most of the season behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafioli. His versatility means he could slot into midfield, but there is plenty of competition in that area as well, so the academy graduate may have to make a decision. Rivals Manchester United are rumored to be interested in signing Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal’s depth has been praised, but fellow academy star Ethan Nwaneri was forced out on loan in January and may have to go elsewhere if he wants to feature regularly.
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