How Myles Lewis-Skelly’s role at Arsenal will change as he continues to develop

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Myles Lewis-Skelly was the star of the show in Arsenal’s North London Derby victory over Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal were dominant from start to finish, Leandro Trossard fired the winner before half time but in truth Mikel Arteta’s men could and should have scored more in the second half.

Fans were stunned at Lewis-Skelly’s performance from left back in the match and the Arsenal academy graduate covered every blade of grass as he knew what the result meant to the club.

Arsenal are preparing a new contract for Lewis-Skelly and with the teenager performing at such a high-level already in his career, the Gunners clearly see a very bright future for the player.

READ MORE: Arsenal agree contract with transfer target as new forward linked with potential switch

Myles Lewis-Skelly should move to midfield role in the future

So far in his run in the Arsenal first-team, Lewis-Skelly has been deployed at left back to cover for the injured Riccardo Calafiori – a role in which the Arsenal youngster has excelled in.

However, Lewis-Skelly has all the physical and technical attributes to play a more commanding role for Arsenal in the heart of their midfield. Declan Rice has compared Lewis-Skelly to Moussa Dembele.

Speaking recently to the Independent, midfielder Rice was full of praise for ‘unbelievable’ Lewis-Skelly and believes that the youngster can make a real impact in the game.

Rice stated: “This kid is just special, very special. For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong, it was like he was built in a lab.”

It is that strength and ability to shield the ball that would make Lewis-Skelly a perfect partner in midfield for Rice and something Arteta should be looking at as he further develops this Arsenal side.

Lewis-Skelly could play a number of midfield roles for Arsenal

Even when playing from left back in his 15 appearances so far this season, Lewis-Skelly has inverted into the midfield to pick up the ball and build attacks.

His strength, athleticism and eye for a forward pass means he could be a great replacement for Thomas Partey in the defensive midfield role.

Lewis-Skelly is more tenacious and successful in the tackle than Partey and is more secure on the ball with a higher pass completion. Perhaps an area where the youngster could learn from Partey is finding those progressive passes through the lines to help beat opposition presses.

Another role that could suit the Hale End graduate’s game in the slightly advanced number eight role that has often been taken by Mikel Merino in recent months.

Something that Arsenal’s current midfield often lacks in the ability to drive with the ball through the lines instead of finding that killer pass. Lewis-Skelly has that ability to weave and wriggle free from opponents and move his side up the pitch.

The youngster has also demonstrated his range of passing, often long diagonal switches of play have helped the Gunners attack from another angle.

Arteta and the club know they have a gem of a player on their hands. It will be interesting to see how Lewis-Skelly’s career develops in the coming months and years.