There has been a lot of focus on Arsenal teenagers Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly in recent months.
The pair have come through the Hale End Academy as two of the brightest prospects in years, and both have sporadically featured in the first-team.
Mikel Arteta made Nwaneri the youngest-ever Premier League player two years ago, and has since given him occasional opportunities off the bench.
Lewis-Skelly made a shock senior debut off the bench away at Manchester City in difficult circumstances, showing that Arteta was not afraid to throw him into the deep end.
Arsenal are facing an injury crisis ahead of their clash with Liverpool, and Arteta has not ruled out either player making a surprise start in a tough game.
Mikel Arteta gives verdict on Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly starting vs Liverpool
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta claimed that both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly can be considered first-team players rather than youngsters.
“They are there, you know, they are in contention. They’re always giving us the option and the possibility to start the game,” he stated.
“Myles came on the other night and he did really well, Ethan the same. So they’re first-team players, they’re with us and we treat them and we value in the same way as any other player.
When asked if the pair could play without fear if selected, Arteta was confident they would deliver.
“That’s certainly something that they don’t feel much, especially those two,” Arteta replied.
“And that’s something really positive. It brings the crowd together as well. It creates energy in the team, does something really good.
“It’s about, yes, thriving in the best moment, with the right players around you, which is something really important as well.”
“No [Not scared to play them] Well, we did it in a Champions League game the other day, so,” he added.
Should Arsenal start Nwaneri or Lewis-Skelly vs Liverpool?
Arsenal’s best opportunities to give Nwaneri or Lewis-Skelly starts came before the international break, with Arteta’s side facing winless Leicester City and Southampton teams at home.
Nwaneri came on and impressed against Leicester, but was not handed a starting role since.
If either teenager had made their first Premier League start earlier this season, they may have been ready to step in against Liverpool. Given the strength of the opposition, the game may come too soon for them, despite calls from fans to throw them into the deep end.
A counter-argument is that they will be unburdened if handed surprise starts against Liverpool, and in Nwaneri’s case, he could add an extra dynamic to Arsenal’s misfiring attack.
However, it seems unlikely that either player will be given the nod from the start despite Arteta’s confidence in them.
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