Arsenal have a crucial week ahead of them in the summer transfer window.
Indeed, the Gunners are set to finalise a deal for Martin Zubimendi at some point in the near future, while Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to join Arsenal at some point too.
Of course, Arsenal are also looking to sign a new striker and Viktor Gyokeres appears to be a concrete option for the Gunners at this point.
Incomings are very exciting, but there could also be a high-profile outgoing on the horizon at the Emirates.
Thomas Partey’s contract is up at the end of this month, and he could well be on his way out of north London before too long.
Indeed, it has been reported that Partey’s contract talks have stalled and an exit could now be imminent.
If Partey leaves Arsenal, there could be an interesting change at the Emirates for one player in particular.
Image of Myles Lewis-Skelly
Credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Myles Lewis-Skelly could change position if Thomas Partey leaves
If Thomas Partey leaves Arsenal, the Gunners will be somewhat short in midfield as both Partey and Jorginho will have left the club in the same transfer window.
However, Arsenal’s midfield situation won’t be critical, and new signings may not be needed.
Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino will all be present as options, while Mikel Arteta could be tempted to change Myles Lewis-Skelly’s position again to add more midfield cover.
Lewis-Skelly has been excelling at left-back over the past 12 months, but the teenager came through the Arsenal academy as a midfielder, and he may return to that role at times next season to provide more cover.
Arsenal have plenty of left-back depth via Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko, so if push comes to shove, they could well utilise one of those players at left-back and use Lewis-Skelly in the midfield again rather than splashing the cash on a new signing who may not even play all that often.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s positions played for Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly knows how to play as a midfielder. After all, he came through playing in that position in the Arsenal academy.
However, for the Arsenal senior team, Lewis-Skelly has played almost exclusively at left-back.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s positions played for Arsenal Games played
Left-back 39
Defensive midfield 1
Transfermarkt’s data suggests that Lewis-Skelly has only played in midfield once for the Arsenal senior team, and even then, that was only for one minute vs Manchester City last season.
However, next term, if Partey does leave Arsenal, we could see a lot more of Lewis-Skelly playing centrally, and that will not only provide the youngster with valuable experience, it will also give Arsenal some much-needed midfield depth.
William Saliba called Lewis-Skelly as ‘scary’ talent last season, and he could be about to become even more frightening.