Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not afraid to deploy his players in different positions.
From starting Bukayo Saka at left-back to insisting on Ainsley Maitland-Niles to play as a wing-back, we have seen him use players in many different roles over the years.
Even with new signings, Arteta loves bringing in players who are versatile – just look at the likes of Jakub Kiwior, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.
The Arsenal boss has now revealed how and why he decided to change one Arsenal player’s position.
Mikel Arteta says he decided to change Myles Lewis-Skelly’s position after watching him play one time
Myles Lewis-Skelly has become the talk of the town recently.
The 18-year-old was loved and adored by Arsenal fans even before he made his first-team debut, but that has gone up a level this week.
Lewis-Skelly produced a stunning performance against Tottenham in the North London Derby and was even the Man of the Match in many people’s eyes.
The youngster proved that he’s Arsenal through and through. Lewis-Skelly even got his revenge on Heung-min Son after he disrespected Arsenal supporters.
The Hale End star is naturally a midfielder, but Arteta sees him as a left-back in this Arsenal side. The Spaniard has now revealed that he made that decision right after he watched the youngster for the very first time.
When asked about his role in changing Lewis-Skelly’s position, Arteta said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “The moment I saw him, the only words I could think is ‘change his position’ if he wants to have a chance here.
“I spoke to him and I said: ‘This is where you’re going to have (opportunities).’
“Because I think his qualities fit a lot with the way we play and it is also because we had necessities in that position.
“So, we started to work on that. He bought into it straight away with the personality that he has, that is very obvious. And now, he’s doing it.”
Should Lewis-Skelly’s position be changed again?
Lewis-Skelly has been doing a phenomenal job at left-back.
His performance against Tottenham when he came up against a player of Dejan Kulusevski’s quality was absolutely incredible, and his immediate future lies in that role.
However, Lewis-Skelly was compared to Mousa Dembele by Declan Rice, and the former Tottenham man thrived in the middle of the park for Spurs.
We really think Lewis-Skelly can become a superstar in the middle of the park in the coming years, and we hope that Arteta will give him opportunities there.
But, against Aston Villa on Saturday, we expect to see Lewis-Skelly at left-back again.
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