Arsenal wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly has revealed that he “had to mirror” one of his teammates during the Gunners’ 3-2 win at home to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday night.
18-year-old Lewis-Skelly replaced Kieran Tierney in the 69th minute after the Scotsman suffered an apparent injury after making his first start for the club since May 2023, having also spent a year out on loan in that time as well as contending with multiple injuries.
Before his substitution midway through the second half, Tierney had been playing in a very advanced role, at times operating further up the pitch than even left-winger Leandro Trossard was, a decision that Mikel Arteta said was made to “play to his strengths.”
Kieran Tierney with Mikel Arteta
Kieran Tierney with Mikel Arteta (Image credit: Getty Images)
READ MORE: Arsenal take young Wolverhampton Wanderers star on trial
Arteta said: “He’s playing to his strengths, that’s something that we have to continue to learn because they give you a lot of information. They [players] tell you not sometimes with their words but with a lot of information, where they feel more comfortable, and certainly there is a much better fit for him.”
The more advanced role is one that suits Lewis-Skelly who, throughout his youth career, has operated primarily as a midfielder, and the teenager said that his history playing in midfield helped him to mimic the role played by Tierney on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW.ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Speaking to Football London, Lewis-Skelly said: “Well, I just had to mirror Kieran Tierney, be strong in my duels, help the team out defensively and just be secure. Definitely, when I am on the ball and working on ball retention, keeping the play simple.
“It’s the basics that I have taken from midfield to left-back. It has helped me. Jorginho has helped me a lot. He is obviously so experienced. Martin has helped me a lot as the captain, he is a great role model to live up to.”
NEXT ARTICLE: Kieran Tierney handed first Arsenal start in 18 months