Mikel Arteta will soon pick the most important starting eleven of his career for the Champions League final, but one ex-Gunner believes one star in particular must play
06:00, 30 May 2026
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends press conference one day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026 Final at Puskas Arena on May 29, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary
View 3 Images
Mikel Arteta has many big decisions to make(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Arsenal academy graduate Jack Wilshere has urged Mikel Arteta to deploy Myles Lewis-Skelly at central midfield in the Champions League final. Arteta's final starting eleven of the campaign will be the most important one of his managerial career to date.
His players will line-up to face an extraordinary Paris Saint-Germain side which has ran Europe ragged this season. Wilshere, who is now the manager of Luton Town, knows Lewis-Skelly almost as well as Arteta.
The ex-midfielder coached the teenager when he was coaching the Arsenal youth teams, and always felt the youngster was a natural in the middle of the pitch. Despite mainly featuring at left-back, Wilshere, who will be competing in SoccerAid for UNICEF this weekend on May 31st, believes Lewis-Skelly is more than ready to star against PSG.
Secure your ultimate European discount before the final whistle with 76% off NordVPN
The ultimate showdown is here. Arsenal are on the march in the Champions League this weekend, ready to fight for Europe's biggest prize and secure their place in football history.
Now is your chance to make your own championship-winning play, by switching to NordVPN. But just like the race to the final whistle, there’s a strict deadline to lock in this world-class deal.
Our Champions League coverage is brought to you in association with NordVPN, the UK's number one VPN according to TechRadar.
A VPN protects your internet connection and online privacy by creating an encrypted tunnel for your data and hiding your IP address, allowing you to safely stream the big match even on public Wi-Fi. With NordVPN, you can block malicious websites, stop web trackers, and monitor data leaks all in one app.
Get 76% off your NordVPN deal for the first two years plus four months extra free.
Speaking exclusively to football.london at the SoccerAid media day, Wilshere, when asked if Lewis-Skelly is ready to start in midfield against Luis Enrique's side, said: "Yes. What I love about Myles and what he’s done since he got to the first team is that he has the same character.
"He has the same personality, he goes towards the pressure, in life in general but in football as well. I’m sure if he was asked to play in midfield he would do a great job.”
The ex-England international also said: "I worked with Myles and I thought he would be a midfielder. I think to play in midfield at the top level is really, really hard.
Luton Town Manager Jack Wilshere reacts after the Vertu Trophy Final between Stockport County and Luton Town at Wembley Stadium on April 12, 2026 in London, England
View 3 Images
Wilshere will feature at SoccerAid on Sunday May 31st(Image: 2026 Visionhaus)
"Mikel has done outstanding to find a position for him because he has so much ability and his understanding of the game, as you can see he can play left-back, midfield and I think he will end up in midfield.
"It might not be as consistent as he wants, right now, but I think eventually he will and I think everyone has seen it. It’s hard to play in midfield and not everyone can do it.
"But he has the ability, he has the awareness and I was happy to see him there. I know how much he can influence a team, the way he received and drives forward - I’m happy for him.”
Luton Town Manager Jack Wilshere reacts after the Vertu Trophy Final between Stockport County and Luton Town at Wembley Stadium on April 12, 2026 in London, England
View 3 Images
Wilshere will feature at SoccerAid on Sunday May 31st(Image: 2026 Visionhaus)
Lewis-Skelly found himself rooted to the bench for a large part of the season. He was competing with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, who have both starred at left-back.
It was only in the 3-0 victory over Fulham when Arteta gave him the nod to start at central midfield for the Gunners. It may still prove to be the sliding doors moment which saw him become one of Arsenal's key pillars in Budapest.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31st May
Article continues below
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£44
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.