Mikel Arteta must make bold call after Myles Lewis-Skelly makes Arsenal boss' mind up

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta should view Myles Lewis-Skelly’s recent displays as a sign that Ethan Nwaneri is ready to start in the Premier League. Lewis-Skelly was handed his first league start against Everton on Saturday in the absence of Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The 18-year-old was defensively solid as he got stuck into the physical side of the game and didn’t look out of place on the left flank.

Just days earlier, the teenager had become Arsenal’s youngest player to start in the Champions League since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011 and produced a stellar display as he was involved in the build-up to the opening goal.

Arteta may have reservations about sticking with such a young player when Calafiori and Zinchenko return to fitness.

But after the clash with Monaco, the boss suggested he has a selection headache with Lewis-Skelly as he stated: “He is one of our own. It’s just a joy to watch him, and a privilege to give the chance to somebody to start to change his career.

“He certainly took the chance. It’s great that we can trust them, that he can play in this environment and at this level. I was really happy with his performance.”

If Lewis-Skelly is ready to start such significant matches, there is no reason for Ethan Nwaneri to be left out.

The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has bagged three goals in two Carabao Cup starts this season but is yet to start in the Premier League or Champions League. He has looked promising when called upon and could deliver the goods if given the opportunity from the outset.

Arteta needs to come up with solutions to his team’s issues as they have struggled to unlock defences at times this season.

And as Arsenal’s record appearance maker David O’Leary explained during an interview with Balls.ie in 2022: “I remember at Arsenal being put in at 17, and sometimes young kids you can’t put them in until they’re 20 or 21. But if they’re good enough forget about their age.”

Even Martin Odegaard, who proved to be a huge loss during his enforced absence earlier this season, was unable to provide the creativity required against Everton.

Nwaneri shouldn’t replace Odegaard in the team, of course, but could be used alongside the former Real Madrid man to give the side another dimension.

And if Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly can rack up the minutes in the coming weeks, Arteta will give his team a fresh impetus to kick on over Christmas when the games come thick and fast.