Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made quite a few changes to his side for the game against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners went into the game with a massive advantage after winning the first leg 7-1. Everyone knew they were going to go through, and that allowed Arteta to experiment.
The Arsenal manager deployed Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield from the start, and the Ukraine international had a very good game. He scored a fantastic goal too.
Many Gooners urged Arteta to use Zinchenko more in midfield, but the former Manchester City man wasn’t the only one who impressed in the middle of the park.
Mikel Arteta delivers honest verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly playing in Arsenal’s midfield
Myles Lewis-Skelly started the game against PSV at left-back on Wednesday night.
The teenager has been fantastic in that role, and his performances this season have earned him rave reviews from many in the footballing world.
In the second half, Arteta took off Declan Rice and brought on Riccardo Calafiori.
The Italy international ran over to his usual left-back role, thus pushing young Lewis-Skelly into the middle of the park.
The 18-year-old was solid in midfield, and Arteta claimed after the game that he now thinks Lewis-Skelly is much more suited to play in the middle.
He said, as per Football London: “Yeah, both. He can play in both positions. And in relation to the player that he plays as a full-back as well, he can interact and change positions.
“He played as a six. He was developed in the academy as a six as well. While he’s doing this season, it’s something new for him. So, yeah, I think he’s much more suited to play in midfield.
“He’s done really well tonight as well. I think he was very consistent in his actions. And I’m really happy about it as well.”
Lewis-Skelly can bring the best out of one Arsenal player
Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation at left-back this season, but we think his long-term future lies in the middle of the park.
With Jorginho and Thomas Partey likely to leave this summer, a spot will open up for the teenager to play in midfield more often.
Moving Lewis-Skelly to a central role will mean that Calafiori will start at left-back. The Italian has been fantastic going forward, but there are still questions being asked about his defending.
If both Lewis-Skelly and Calafiori start together, the youngster can cover for the former Bologna man every time he goes on one of his adventurous forward runs.
That will bring the best out of Calafiori as he won’t have to worry too much about defending.
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