Darren Bent says ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal star is actually playing in the wrong position

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Darren Bent believes one Arsenal star isn’t currently playing in his natural position.

The Gunners have assembled an exceptional squad, bolstered significantly by the addition of eight players this summer.

Andrea Berta spent over £250 million on incoming players in an attempt to provide Mikel Arteta with an embarrassment of riches, which should help the Spaniard deliver major silverware to the Emirates.

While those arriving in N5 will undoubtedly improve the Gunners’ level, there are some changes Arteta could make with players who were already at the club that could also increase their chances of being successful this season.

• READ MORE: Confirmed Arsenal summer 2025 transfer ins and outs, signings and done deals

Darren Bent says Myles Lewis-Skelly is ‘unbelievable’ despite not playing in his ‘natural’ position

Riccardo Calafiori has impressed so far this season, starting all three of the Gunners’ matches.

Meanwhile, Arsenal signed Piero Hincapie on deadline day to provide Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes with cover and competition on the left-hand side of their defence.

Calafiori’s form and Hincapie’s arrival could leave Myles Lewis-Skelly somewhat short on minutes at the Emirates.

The youngster was outstanding during the run-in for Arsenal last season, but now potentially finds himself slightly further down the pecking order than he may have expected.

However, when picking his England eleven for the World Cup, Darren Bent selected Lewis-Skelly at left-back, but raised the point that he’s naturally a midfielder.

Arteta’s plan for the 18-year-old could be to use him in the middle of the park moving forward.

“At left-back, I’ve gone Myles Lewis-Skelly,” Bent said on talkSPORT.

“What he’s done for England in such a short space of time is, he has been incredible at left-back. Scored his first goal already as well, under Thomas Tuchel, so I’ve gone for Lewis-Skelly at left-back.

“In terms of going into the middle of the park and playing as well, he’s better with his feet. Naturally, I think he is a midfield player, Myles Lewis-Skelly. He certainly was in the Arsenal youth system.

“We’ve seen the way he’s progressed under Tuchel as well. For such a young kid, in an England shirt, he’s looked really, really good.

“I was there for his debut in the Champions League, he was unbelievable, unbelievable for Arsenal. I look at him and he looks like someone who isn’t going to get riled by anything.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly will develop into a midfielder

Whether it’s in the immediate future or not, Lewis-Skelly will be used in midfield frequently.

The England international has all the tools to excel in a central role, boasting exceptional close control in tight spaces, the ability to evade a press and the ability to carry the ball between the lines.

For now, his passing over longer distances must improve, with his inclination generally being to play it short.

He must also improve defensively to play in midfield for an excellent team. While the starlet never gets beaten one-on-one, he isn’t the most active defender in terms of aggressively looking to win the ball back – a trait which is needed in the middle of the park.