Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has answered Thierry Henry's plea ahead of the Gunners Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid
19:28, 05 May 2026
Mikel Arteta has heeded Thierry Henry's advice ahead of the clash with Atletico Madrid.
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Mikel Arteta has heeded Thierry Henry's advice ahead of the clash with Atletico Madrid.(Image: 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Mikel Arteta has heeded Thierry Henry's advice to hand Myles Lewis-Skelly a starting berth in midfield for tonight's Champions League second leg against Atletico Madrid. The Gunners icon lavished praise on the 19-year-old following his commanding midfield display during the 3-0 victory over Fulham.
It marked the Arsenal academy product's first start in his natural position, having progressed through the youth ranks as a central midfielder. Arteta had previously deployed the youngster at left-back, where he flourished, before his opportunities became increasingly limited this season.
Arteta rested Martin Zubimendi on the bench to preserve his fitness ahead of tonight's showdown with Atleti, yet has rewarded Lewis-Skelly with another start off the back of his impressive weekend showing.
It is a selection that will delight Henry, after the Gunners' legend waxed lyrical about Lewis-Skelly's display against the Cottagers.
"Miles was just different," Henry said on Sky Sports on Monday. "I didn't see Zubimendi do that often – the legs, anticipation, stopping someone, boom, making someone feel that you that you are there; he was there all the time.
"Because of the magnitude of the game, he's going to think to be a bit more secure. But Lewis-Skelly showed that that might be a new position for him in terms of next season.
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"He did extremely well. I wouldn't mind if he starts him but then I can understand because of the magnitude of the game and how Zubimndi plays, sometimes you need to be a tiny bit more secure. We will see. But in this game, he was brave.
"It's one thing to be patient. It's one thing to maybe be upset about the situation. But he was ready. He didn't look like he didn't play for a very long time.
"He controlled the game. He went forward. He buzzed the game at times. That's outstanding. Do not underestimate experience in this type of game. But would I like to see him on Tuesday or tomorrow, obviously? Yes. Why not?"
Arteta was asked about his decision to start Lewis-Skelly in midfield ahead of Zubimendi and the Arsenal boss told Amazon Prime: "He has played there many times in that position in different games, he has the ability to do that, he can exchange positions with players, he is very flexible and he has shown what he can do."
Arsenal fans welcome the team bus with flares and scarves before the UEFA Champions League second-leg semi-final against Atletico.
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Arsenal fans welcome the team bus with flares and scarves before the UEFA Champions League second-leg semi-final against Atletico.
Thousands of Arsenal supporters filled the streets around the Emirates Stadium to greet the players, as fan groups and the club collaborated to craft an unforgettable evening.
Ahead of the fixture, Arteta urged the faithful to produce something truly extraordinary. He said: "I don't think its messages needed. It's what is at stake; it says it all. I think it's the occasion, it's the moment, it's the game. Let's live this together and let's make it happen.
"It was an unbelievable atmosphere. One of the best that I've witnessed and it was great to play there. I can't wait. I can't wait to live this moment with our supporters, our people and generate something really, really special to get into that final."
Arsenal stand level with Atleti heading into this evening's kick-off following Viktor Gyokeres' spot-kick being equalised by Julian Alvarez in Madrid.
The outcome was not without its share of controversy, however, with the Gunners denied a stoppage-time penalty and the opportunity to claim all three points when Eberechi Eze's spot-kick appeal was dismissed by VAR.
Arteta named an unchanged starting XI from the victory against Fulham, although Martin Odegaard made his return to the substitutes' bench after missing the weekend fixture.
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Kai Havertz was also considered sufficiently recovered to take a place among the substitutes, having sustained an injury during the win over Newcastle the previous month.
Arsenal starting XI : Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Eze; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard.