Despite only being 18-years-old, Myles Lewis-Skelly has already reached the point where he was rested for Arsenal in their win over Crystal Palace in EFL Cup.
Such are Mikel Arteta’s injury woes at Arsenal right now, Lewis-Skelly is arguably the first choice left-back available.
Of course, that’s a role that the youngster is also capable of playing just on merit – he demonstrated all of his ability against AS Monaco in the Champions League for example.
Lewis-Skelly originally came through as a midfielder in Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, with Arteta then spotting the youngster’s potential to start from the left before inverting in possession.
And that also explains why Lewis-Skelly is better suited to Arteta’s plans than veteran defender Kieran Tierney, who started instead in the 3-2 win over Palace.
Myles Lewis-Skelly explains why he’s been looking up to Kieran Tierney at Arsenal
Tierney arguably revived his career at Arsenal with the performance, a player who still has so much left to achieve at 27-years-old, if he can stay fit.
Lewis-Skelly replaced Tierney in the 68th minute against Palace once the Scot was cramping up, and when speaking to Hayters TV after the game, the 18-year-old admitted that he tried to copy his teammate once he came on.
Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024 in...
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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The Hale End graduate hailed the senior defender as an ‘exceptional’ crosser of the ball, explaining why he thrives as a traditional, overlapping full-back – a role Lewis-Skelly isn’t asked to play.
Lewis-Skelly said: “I tried to mirror Kieran Tierney – be strong in my duels, help the team out defensively and be secure you know.”
He later continued: “KT is a great defender, his recovery runs are top. I tell him all the time that I take bits from his game.
“As you saw today, his crossing into the box is exceptional so, because he’s a natural left-back, I’m not a natural left-back, but I’ve learnt a lot from him.”
Kieran Tierney hoping to leave Arsenal for Celtic
Of course, Tierney is destined to leave Arsenal, and a move to his old club Celtic is looking more and more likely.
The Scotland international has barely ever stepped a foot wrong in north London, but he simply doesn’t suit Arteta’s plans for the reasons explained.
Arteta had to accommodate Tierney with a special plan allowing him to refrain from inverting against Palace, something he won’t want to do long-term.
Of course, it is a positive that Lewis-Skelly gets to learn from a defender who is atypical to the other full-backs around him.
A player with a massive future ahead, but a defender who may never overlap Gabriel Martinelli on the left for as long as he plays.
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