Ian Wright has admitted that he is so disappointed with Mikel Arteta’s lack of use of Myles Lewis-Skelly and thinks Arsenal could have used him against Man City.
Lewis-Skelly has been benched for 11 of the Gunners’ last 14 matches in all competitions, and he does not seem to be able to get a look in.
Who will go on to have the better career: Nico O’Reilly or Myles Lewis-Skelly?
The teenager became a superstar at the Emirates Stadium following his performances against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
However, this season, it is a very different story, with the 19-year-old having to watch from the bench, and Wright is unhappy with his situation.
Ian Wright says Arsenal should have used Myles Lewis-Skelly vs Man City
Ian Wright believes Arsenal should have used Myles Lewis-Skelly against Man City, as the game was crying out for a full-back who could invert.
The Arsenal legend thinks the Gunners needed a player who was comfortable in possession, and the youngster has proved he can do that.
Mikel Arteta’s team struggled to play through City’s press and needed a player who was willing to carry the ball forward, but Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice shied away.
When asked about the cup final, Wright told Stick To Football: “I’ve mentioned like, I’ve mentioned Myles Lewis-Skelly when he played against Real Madrid last time, had an unbelievable game.
“Then he’s kind of been dropped back out of it, and I’m thinking in that game, yesterday, on Sunday, a left-back who can invert what we need is somebody comfortable on the ball.
“That’s the game he should be playing in, because then he’s somebody who can get on the ball, and at least we can link.”
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Piero Hincapie had a shocking game against City, and Riccardo Calafiori was the player who replaced him, ahead of Lewis-Skelly.
Ian Wright thinks Myles Lewis-Skelly is as good as Nico O’Reilly
Nico O’Reilly showed up Lewis-Skelly during the Wembley final, as the Man City left-back netted an impressive brace.
However, Wright is adamant that the Arsenal star is just as talented, if not more so, than his fellow England teammate.
Wright added: “There’s no way, Myles Lewis-Skelly, the way he started his career, he hasn’t got the capability to go on and do, I’m not saying he’s gonna do exactly what O’Reilly’s done, but the confidence it gives him in playing is gonna be a lot probably more confident than he is right now.
“He can’t get into the team at the moment, whether it’s Hincapie or if it’s behind Calafiori, this guy is a footballer.
“We needed a footballer on Sunday, and those are the things that I’m sitting there watching us do, watching us do nothing.
“I’m thinking to myself, if the Arsenal fans saw someone like him come on and do a couple of things, everybody, it gets us going, it gets people going again. That’s a disappointment for me.”
Arteta should consider using Lewis-Skelly more often during the run-in and perhaps even in midfield, given Zubimendi’s recent struggles.
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