Viktor Gyokeres and Myles Lewis-Skelly were both in fine form as Arsenal beat Fulham and Mikel Arteta is delighted with both.
Gyokeres bagged two to take his tally for the season to 20 while Lewis-Skelly – playing in central midfield – shone alongside Declan Rice.
Arteta will be hoping this is the boost ‘MLS’ needs, while Gyokeres’ form comes at the perfect time of the season.
Indeed, discussing both players after the game, Mikel Arteta was clearly delighted.
You’re Mikel Arteta: How do you use Myles Lewis-Skelly going forwards?
Incredible in the midfield against Fulham
Mikel Arteta praises Viktor Gyokeres and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Gyokeres and Lewis-Skelly very much impressed against the Cottagers.
From minute one they looked sharp and up for it and produced performances that showed just what they can bring to this team.
Indeed, speaking on the duo, Arteta couldn’t have been happier.
“He had a great performance, I think in Madrid especially the first half he was really good. Today the minutes that he’s played as well, his contribution with the goals,” Arteta said of Gyokeres.
“In every attacking action he was involved, scored two great goals, position-wise, timing-wise as well, something that we’ve been working on. It’s going to give him a big boost of energy and confidence to the team as well.”
Going on to comment about Lewis-Skelly’s performance, Arteta admitted he’d been tough on the youngster but was delighted to see him come back to form.
“He fully deserves it. I’ve been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team,” Arteta continued.
“He had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready. He’s been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play.
“He’s done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.”
Clearly, whatever Arteta has been doing with Lewis-Skelly has worked.
As for Gyokeres, seeing him hit form just before the run-in and a crucial European semi-final is music to the ears of Arteta.
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