Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the breakout stars of the Premier League last season, but now faces a battle to make Mikel Arteta's current starting XI
Football loving writer who spends much of his life on motorways getting to games all over the country. Passionate about football, my job and the Mirror. The Premier League is the best in the world and always believe England has a chance. Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly
It was one of the most memorable moments of last season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly winding up Erling Haaland by mimicking the Manchester City striker’s “zen” goal celebration after scoring in Arsenal’s 5-1 win at the Emirates in February.
That was in response to Haaland shouting “who the f*** are you?” at Lewis-Skelly after City snatched a last-gasp 2-2 draw against Arsenal back in September. Well, if Haaland did not know who the teenager was 12 months ago then everybody does now.
That rivalry has only served to increase the tension and make Arsenal and City bitter rivals. It is certain to be a red-hot atmosphere when they go head-to-head at the Emirates on Sunday.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, was surely the breakthrough player of last season as he came from nowhere to make his Arsenal debut, become a first team regular and forced his way into the England set-up.
This season has been far more difficult as he has yet to start a game for Arsenal and has managed just 66 minutes across three substitute appearances in the Premier League.
One of the nation’s most talked about and exciting young players may also have to make do with a place on the bench against City on Sunday.
Riccardo Calafiori has seized his opportunity, started every game at left back and Lewis-Skelly faces a major battle to win back his place. One of the biggest issues is the defensive side of Lewis-Skelly’s game which Mikel Arteta has been working hard on.
His trademark move is a pirouette-like turn as he loves to run with the ball, dribble and then turn into space. It is easy to forget that actually Lewis-Skelly is naturally a midfielder rather than full back and his natural instinct is to do more than defend.
Lewis-Skelly's celebration against Man City was one of the iconic moments of last season
Lewis-Skelly's celebration against Man City was one of the iconic moments of last season
Lewis-Skelly was caught in possession against Tottenham in pre-season and that allowed Pape Sarr to score from long range. Back in February, Lewis-Skelly lost possession against West Ham, committed a foul to try and recover and got sent off.
Gunners boss Arteta even gave Lewis-Skelly a touchline rollicking for giving the ball away this season and is believed to have taken him aside to work on that part of his game. Arteta loves the player and he is adored by Arsenal fans.
England boss Thomas Tuchel picked Lewis-Skelly for the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month and started him against Andorra but then dropped him from the match day squad against Serbia.
But within that thought process, Tuchel offered some very wise words. He said he was unsure about calling up last season when he was so young but, having done so, also had a duty to stick by him when he suffered a bit of a dip.
And that is without doubt what has happened here. Lewis-Skelly is grounded because he has got good people around him but, like with any teenage talent, there are going to be bumps in the road.
Mikel Arteta is working closely with Lewis-Skelly to improve the defensive side of his game
Mikel Arteta is working closely with Lewis-Skelly to improve the defensive side of his game
It can be argued that he might be learning more from this season than last because he will have to work on his game, iron out faults and then also show great determination to win back his place.
Lewis-Skelly signed a five year deal last season and his future remains very bright. It was only injuries that gave him a chance to fill in as an emergency option last season.
But now Calafiori is playing like the £42m Italy international he was signed to be. After his own injury struggles last season, he is now great fun to watch - attacking, rampaging and strong. He will take some shifting.
However, Lewis-Skelly has come on as a substitute in three of Arsenal’s four league games this season and you can bet he will get an incredible reception if he does so again on Sunday.
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