Mikel Arteta spoke to the press ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Burnley this weekend, where the Gunners face a tough test at Turf Moor.
Arsenal are in fine form and currently sit top of the Premier League table, with 22 points from nine matches played.
Mikel Arteta has every reason to be pleased with the start to the season – but it hasn’t come without its trials and tribulations.
Mikel Arteta looks on during Arsenal vs Brighton
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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One of the challenges the Spaniard has been facing is man management. With so many talented players at Arsenal, it’s difficult to give everyone minutes. This is something Arteta touched on in his most recent press conference.
Mikel Arteta on picking his Arsenal team
Speaking on Friday morning, Arteta was asked whether picking the team is the worst part of his job at the moment.
He responded: “No, I cannot say that. It is the worst part in terms of the decisions with certain players when you don’t allow them to play.
“I’m not judging every decision they make; at the moment, we are dealing with it in a really positive way.”
It’s a very difficult scenario to navigate. Arsenal’s successes have been built on maintaining a solid base, particularly in their backline, which has been impeccable.
Myles Lewis-Skelly the biggest casualty
It’s no secret that Myles Lewis-Skelly has been the biggest loser in Arteta’s new team selection. The English full-back was a regular last season but has played just 85 minutes in the Premier League this campaign.
Season Games Minutes Played
2024/25 23 1,371
2025/26* 6 85
*So far in the 2025/26 season.
Arteta has been impressed when Lewis-Skelly has been called upon, but Riccardo Calafiori has been so good at left-back that he’s simply undroppable.
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Lewis-Skelly still has plenty to offer in an Arsenal shirt, and Arteta dealing with this predicament can’t be easy. That said, with so many games this season, he’ll get his chance to shine again soon enough.