Mikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly has set an example to future generations after his England call-up
Arsenal have a huge game against Chelsea coming up this weekend as they look to continue putting pressure on Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
With the Reds now 15 points clear of the Gunners in the title race, it seems only a formality that Arne Slot's team will lift the Premier League in the coming weeks, but Mikel Arteta's men can still finish the season strongly.
Arsenal will also be keen to solidify second place, with Nottingham Forest only a point behind them after their 4-1 win over Ipswich.
Mirror Football has taken a look at some of the biggest Arsenal stories and rumours ahead of the big London derby.
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Lewis-Skelly call-up 'will inspire youngsters'
Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly has been of the stories of the season after his rise to the first team and his series of impressive performances under Arteta.
And now his terrific displays have been rewarded with a first England call-up from coach Thomas Tuchel and Arteta believes it is a great story that should inspire the next generation of youngsters.
The Spaniard also revealed how he first thought the 18-year-old would become a star after watching him play against Liverpool in pre-season.
Lewis-Skelly first impressed Arteta during the team's pre-season tour of the US in the summer
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Image:
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"I was very impressed with him in the States when he came on for example against Liverpool as a sub and he started to compete against those guys in the frontline and I was like: 'We have a player here'," Arteta recalled.
"We are all really, really happy at his call-up because it's a really nice story and a story that gives a lot of hope to a lot of young players and that in six or seven months your career can change dramatically, drastically for the good.
"It's something for people to be inspired by. I think it hasn't happened because he was lucky. I think he pushed for every chance to happen and the way he's done it."
Arsenal "deflated" by lack of forwards
The Gunners have been hit hard by losing Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to injuries in the second part of the season and it's been a crucial factor in the team falling away from Liverpool in the title race.
We saw how much the team struggled without a recognised No 9 last month in their 1-0 loss to West Ham before a 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest that effectively ended their challenge.
Arsenal did manage to score nine goals in both legs of their Champions League last-16 tie against PSV but it's clear the team have had difficult times while trying to play with Mikel Merino as a makeshift centre forward.
Dwight Yorke believes Arsenal have been "deflated" by their lack of a striker
Supporters have fumed at the club for failing to sign a new striker in January, despite being linked with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko.
Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke believes the players have been left "deflated" by their crisis up front and says a new forward would have "energised" the team in the title race.
He told Casinobeats : "I think it was clear to everybody who was watching that Arsenal needed to really energise their team with a big name signing, a big personality coming in to the club to really give the place a lift because that can be enough to get you over the line. In January, February, March, it's when the season is really testing, and you need to be at full pelt to get through those phases.
"I feel when you look at what happened at Arsenal in the transfer window, that has been so disappointing for them that even the players got deflated. The supporters are now deflated. I think it stemmed from that, and it shows in their performances.
“It’s a strange one. I just think that Arsenal should have really gone out on a limb to try to get someone. I looked at Benjamin Sesko, and he's a good player as well. I think him and Isak are the two players that I would have tried to sign to give you some kind of momentum going into the latter stage of the season.”
Arsenal given Bukayo Saka return timeline
Arteta has been sorely missing Saka's match-winning ability after the England star was ruled out for a lengthy spell with a hamstring problem that required surgery back in December.
Saka had previously scored nine times and assisted ten in all competitions and it's clear Arsenal have struggled without his quality - though it won't be long before the winger is back on the pitch.
Arteta has laid out a road map for Saka to return to the first team, saying he will return to training next week.
Bukayo Saka is closing in on a return for Arsenal ( Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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While he definitely won't be available for Chelsea this weekend, he will have a much better chance of featuring after the international break - with the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid a possibility.
"He is going to be here [at the Arsenal training ground] next week, hopefully more with ball at his feet than he has had.
"That will mean he is passing the ball and shooting and running and everything. He has done quite a lot already on the pitch working on his own. Next we need to arrange it with people around him in a more competitive training session and see how he goes with that.
"He's getting closer, he's stepping up and making a very good progress I would say. So, let's see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly."
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