Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith has said that the Gunners could be forced to sell Myles Lewis-Skelly for PSR purposes.
The Gunners have had a quiet January transfer window so far; They are yet to sign or sell anyone, but could see Ethan Nwaneri leave on loan. Reports have said the winger is close to joining Marseille on loan, as he’s in search of more regular first team football.
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Nwaneri broke out last season, much like defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, who became Mikel Arteta‘s first choice left-back last year. He also joined Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for multiple international breaks.
However, this season, Riccardo Calafiori has claimed the left-back role, and Arteta has been playing the likes of Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie out of position over Lewis-Skelly.
Alan Smith says Arsenal could be forced to sell Lewis-Skelly
Amid the 19-year-old’s struggles to get into the first team, former Arsenal forward Alan Smith has claimed that the Gunners could be forced to sell Lewis-Skelly as he can generate ‘pure profit’ for PSR purposes.
He told GoonerNews exclusively via BestBettingSites.co.uk: “He [Lewis-Skelly] is just not good enough defensively. He’s been brought up as a midfielder, and when he’s had 1v1s, he has struggled, for example, when Frimpong was up against him in the Liverpool game, because he’s not the quickest either, and he’s not a natural defender.
“He’s got three players in front of him who can all defend better. So, looking forward to the summer, I think it might be a case of selling him, for PSR and all that, being a youth team player, it’s pure profit. So, unfortunately, I think he might have to leave the club.”
The Gunners may live to regret Lewis-Skelly sale
As Smith mentioned, Lewis-Skelly was brought up as a midfielder, but it was Arteta’s decision to play him as a left-back. However, in recent appearances, he’s looked exposed at the back, but why not turn him back into a midfielder.
There’s no doubting Lewis-Skelly’s talent, so you’ve got to make sure to give him the biggest chance to succeed. Instead of selling him, Arsenal could loan him out, but say to the loaning team that they want him to play in midfield.
It could transform Lewis-Skelly’s game, as he is strong at ball carrying and forward passing, and may change Arsenal’s mind on potentially selling him.
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