Roy Keane spotted the ‘smart’ thing Myles Lewis-Skelly did as Arsenal star helped England beat Latvia

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal players were heavily involved in yet more crucial moment for their national sides over international break.

Declan Rice produced yet another outstanding display for Thomas Tuchel’s England side and provided the assist for Harry Kane to put the game beyond doubt in their eventual 3-0 win.

Arsenal stars have continued to perform well in the international break, Thomas Partey was praised by Ghana’s media for his brace in their World Cup qualifier whilst Mikel Merino has also been lauded in Spain.

Myles Lewis-Skelly broke an England record on his debut and was heavily involved in their win over Latvia leading to pundit Roy Keane noticing one ‘smart’ thing about his performance.

READ MORE: Three new positions Ethan Nwaneri can play after Bukayo Saka makes Arsenal injury return

Roy Keane praises ‘smart’ Myles Lewis-Skelly in England win

For 38 minutes of their World Cup qualifier, England were struggling to break down a stubborn Latvian defence before Lewis-Skelly won a free kick on the edge of the box that was converted by Chelsea’s Reece James.

Speaking on ITV’s coverage of the game, Keane praised the Arsenal defender in winning the free kick and mentioned how he had learned to draw the foul from his time with the Gunners.

Keane stated: “It was touch and go, I think he was clever winning the free kick. If you look at it here slightly unlucky but take nothing away from the free kick. Lewis-Skelly here has obviously learned that well at Arsenal. He was smart with it.”

Tuchel revealed Lewis-Skelly’s best position after his England debut against Albania and despite the German agreeing he was better as a left-back that inverted, the 18-year-old constantly picked up the ball in advanced areas.

It showed the intelligence of Lewis-Skelly already at such a young age but also the confidence to go and get on the ball and dictate for his country in only his second appearance at international level.

Arsenal haven’t scored a direct free kick since 2021

One thing that Lewis-Skelly wouldn’t be used to happening is the fact that James converted the free kick that he won on the edge of the area.

Remarkably, the Gunners have not scored direct from a free kick since September 2021, when Martin Odegaard fired the winner in a 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Arsenal have been hailed for their set pieces in recent seasons but success from a direct free kick still eludes them and no doubt Nicolas Jover will have plans to stop break this duck.

If it were to come from now until the end of the season, it would be a timely boost for Mikel Arteta as he continues to try and find solutions to his team’s attacking woes.