Paul Merson says Mikel Arteta now has a selection headache for Arsenal’s semi-final against Atletico Madrid(Sky Sports)
Paul Merson believes Myles Lewis-Skelly has given Mikel Arteta a ‘major headache’ ahead of the second leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Arsenal moved six points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-0 win at home to Fulham.
Viktor Gyokeres scored twice, while Bukayo Saka also found the net in an impressive first half at the Emirates Stadium.
Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, started the game in a central midfield role with Martin Zubimendi benched.
The 19-year-old, who has played as a left-back after his first-team breakthrough at Arsenal in 2024, impressed in midfield and Merson believes Arteta now has a tough selection decision ahead of Atletico’s visit to the Emirates Stadium next week.
Asked whether Lewis-Skelly should now start against Atletico next week, Merson told Sky Sports: ‘It’s a different kind of game, Fulham to Atletico Madrid.
‘He’s given Mikel a headache, a major, major headache.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly (left) and Fulham's Harrison Reed battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed in midfield during Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham (PA Wire)
‘He gave you that energy, he lifted everybody, he’s come in and lifted everybody, he played on the front foot, he got close to people.
‘I just think recently, and I’m a big fan of Zubimendi, I just find he’s just been chasing the game recently, he nearly gets there.
‘This lad [Lewis-Skelly] was tight, when he went to win a ball he won the ball, everything was simple, he did everything right.
‘Those simple passes give all your top players like Saka, Trossard, Eze, Gyokeres, they make everything tick together.
Arsenal's remaining fixtures
Atletico Madrid (H) – May 5
West Ham (A) – May 10
Burnley (H) – May 18
Crystal Palace (A) – May 24
‘I don’t think Zubimendi has been doing that recently, but I am a big fan of Zubimendi.’
When asked about Lewis-Skelly’s performance, Arteta said: ‘He fully deserves it, I’ve been tough on him, he had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team, he had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready.
‘He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play, he’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Mikel Arteta explains why Bukayo Saka came off at half-time against Fulham
MORE: Martin Odegaard injury latest as Arsenal captain misses win vs Fulham
MORE: Arsenal 3-0 Fulham: Viktor Gyokeres scores twice as Gunners go six clear at top