Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal's new 'competitor' who can play in three different positions

Yesterday at 06:54 PM

Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Arsenal’s versatile new wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly, describing him as a ‘competitor’ after his debut against Manchester City on Sunday.

Lewis-Skelly, who was shown a yellow card before he even entered the pitch, came on for the closing stages as he replaced Jurrien Timber in the 92nd minute.

He wasn’t able to help Arsenal see out the game, though, as John Stones scored with the last kick of the game to hand City a point in the 2-2 draw at the Etihad.

But Arteta was left impressed by what he saw from Lewis-Skelly and has named three different positions the 17-year-old Hale End academy graduate can play.

‘He (Lewis-Skelly) is a competitor,’ Arteta said when asked about the confrontation between the Arsenal youngster and City striker Erling Haaland.

‘You look at him, in every duel he goes, the way he reacts with his team-mates, you speak to him it's constantly eye contact. He's nudging, he's asking questions, it's a special character.

‘He can play in three positions basically, as a left back, as a No.6, as a No.8, he's very versatile. He adapts, from there he can occupy different spaces.

‘He's very adaptable, that's the good thing about Myles – he's very intelligent, very thorough.

‘He has some unbelievable questions every time you ask him to do something, and he has the competitive edge which I think is demanded at this level.

‘And he really wants it, so we are going to use him in different positions.’

Lewis-Skelly could be set for his first Arsenal start on Wednesday night when the Gunners host Bolton in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

The teenager, who is said to have a similar playing style to the likes of Michael Essien, earned his first cap for England U19s earlier this month.

He progressed through the Arsenal academy alongside friend and teammate Ethan Nwaneri.