Arsenal took one step closer to becoming Premier League champions on Saturday with a resounding 3-0 victory over Fulham before edging out Diego Simeone’s side in Tuesday evening’s semi-final to reach the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years.
After a breakout season which featured starring performances in Champions League quarter-final wins over Real Madrid and a run of starts in the Premier League last season, Lewis-Skelly has found his minutes limited this term, starting just 16 of the 32 matches he has featured in.
But the teenager deputised alongside Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze against the Cottagers last weekend and then again in the memorable triumph over Atletico, leaving Arteta wondering why he hadn’t turned to Lewis-Skelly earlier.
“I think it’s been a process of probably understanding him better. Him understanding, as well, the standards that are required when you play or don’t play that much at this level,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “To understand the reasons why you play or don’t play as well.
“He’s been exceptional; his attitude, the way he’s been training, the way he’s been supporting the boys when he hasn’t played. He’s given us every sign to think that when we were going to give him the chance, he was going to respond in the manner that he’s done it. It’s not easy, especially when you haven’t played that much, to look that fresh, confident and energetic and play with that determination. It’s something that is surprising.”
Asked what he grew to understand more about the 19-year-old, Arteta said: “I need to put on the Myles Lewis-Skelly hat to understand how he’s feeling. He’s a boy who was playing with the Under-18s and 21s. Sometimes, he wasn’t even playing.
“He comes through, and he plays in a completely different position that he’s never played before. He’s exceptional and everybody’s talking about him. He goes to the national team, he comes back from pre-season, and then he starts to realise that maybe he’s not going to be a starter.
“You need to go through those emotions. Not only you, but the people next to you as well who are giving you advice, and that’s not easy. I understand that.”
While Lewis-Skelly isn’t necessarily guaranteed to retain his starting spot at the expense of Martin Zubimendi for the crucial Premier League clash with West Ham United on Sunday, Arteta’s midfield options have shifted dramatically in his favour.
Zubimendi has played the second most outfield minutes of any Arsenal player (4,132) this season, despite only having arrived last summer from Real Sociedad.
But with West Ham on the horizon, Arteta takes his side to the London Stadium in search of the “hunger” he has called for since Arsenal wobbled in their pursuit of the Premier League title in April.
“Stay present. Live the moment and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire that we’ve showed all season or more. We are closer and closer, and everything that we don’t know is going to matter to win it or not,” said Arteta.
“We talked after the game (Atletico win on Tuesday). This is great; what a moment. We have earned it. We have time to prepare and get ready for that final, but now the focus, attention and detail have to be put into West Ham. There is nothing else there, and we have made that very clear (to the players).”
The Gunners make the short trip to east London on Sunday to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s relegation-bound side, who are fighting to retain their Premier League status at the expense of Arsenal’s north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.