Mikel Arteta has perfect chance to start ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal teen vs Liverpool, he can’t bottle it

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Despite their excellent form before the October international break, Arsenal will be four points behind Liverpool when they face Arne Slot’s side this weekend.

Arsenal have won five of their eight Premier League games, only failing to collect three points when they were down to 10 men.

Of course, that scenario has happened far too often, and Mikel Arteta’s side have already dropped seven points as a result.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	8	7	0	1	15	3	12	21
2	Man CityManchester City	8	6	2	0	19	9	10	20
3	ArsenalArsenal	8	5	2	1	15	8	7	17
4	Aston VillaAston Villa	8	5	2	1	15	10	5	17

Therefore, Liverpool’s visit to the Emirates Stadium already feels akin to a must-win for the Gunners, who are also three points behind Manchester City at this point.

That being said, Arsenal are experiencing an injury crisis right now, and could be missing up to seven players against top-of-the-league Liverpool on Sunday.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is the right choice to face Mohamed Salah

Although Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard would both be huge losses if they missed out, there’s arguably a bigger concern in defence for Arsenal right now.

Riccardo Calafiori injured his knee against Shakhtar Donetsk and seems very unlikely to play against Liverpool this weekend.

READ MORE: Gael Clichy has spotted a problem at Arsenal that could stop them winning the Champions League

Moreover, Jurrien Timber’s fitness is still uncertain, meaning Arsenal could be without who many would now perceive as their best two options at left-back.

Of course, whoever plays at left-back will be up against Mohamed Salah, who is still Liverpool’s most crucial performer.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has a horrible record against Salah, and Arteta seemingly has the choice between him or Myles Lewis-Skelly.

And whilst it would be a baptism of fire, it’s time for Arteta to hand ‘unbelievable‘ 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly his first Premier League start.

Not only is the Hale End Academy graduate ready in terms of his quality, but hearing his name read out among the starters at the Emirates would surge support to no end.

Oleksandr Zinchenko would be a liability against Liverpool

We all know the quality that Zinchenko provides for Arsenal in possession, but his one-versus-one defending simply isn’t good enough against a player like Salah.

Zinchenko has some awful memories against the Egyptian at Anfield, and he’s scored when playing against the Ukrainian more often than not.

Given he’s already faced both Man City and Paris Saint-Germain in short cameos, Lewis-Skelly shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the occasion, a youngster who clearly has his head screwed on.

And if Arteta isn’t ready to start Ethan Nwaneri just yet, then it’s time to turn to his Hale End partner, who’s done everything to suggest that he’s ready.