Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal youngster the coaches ‘love’ who’s going to play ‘huge’ role
Mikel Arteta has promised to make the most of one of Arsenal‘s brightest young talents in a variety of roles this season.
The Gunners cruised past Lille in the Champions League this week to make it two wins from two in Europe, with Eberechi Eze stealing the show in another convincing display from the Premier League champions.
The England international may have finally provided the answer to one of the few lingering selection questions in Arteta’s squad, with the left-wing position seemingly his to lose following his latest impressive showing.
“It’s fun!” Eze said after the match. “You know that opportunities are coming all over the place, so you’ve just got to be ready, be in the right places, be in the right spaces to get on the end of stuff. It’s a fun team to play in!
“It was an enjoyable performance from all of us. We dominated the game, and we enjoy winning, so that’s the main thing.
“I always want to play, always want to score, and that’s the mentality – I’ll keep pushing and keep working.”
Eze was replaced late in the game by Max Dowman, another exciting talent who Arsenal supporters are desperate to see more of this season.
However, the teenager could potentially be sent out on loan in January to accelerate his development, particularly if Eze establishes himself as Arteta’s first-choice option on the left flank.
While Dowman continues to wait for regular opportunities, another Hale End graduate who has already established himself in the senior squad was singled out for special praise by the Arsenal boss.
Arteta praises Myles Lewis-Skelly after Lille performance
Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed after returning to his more familiar left-back role against Lille, with Arteta delighted by the youngster’s adaptability and maturity.
“He always gets love from the coaches, and he deserves massive credit because changing position is not only just what you have to deliver tactically but also the physical element of that, and the kind of efforts you have to make,” Arteta said.
“But I thought he was brilliant, the way he competed, the way he carried himself.
“He was very consistent except for one action in the game, and that’s what we need. Myles is a player with a huge impact on the team.”
Lewis-Skelly initially broke into Arsenal’s first team as a left-back, but his role has evolved considerably under Arteta, with all five of his Premier League starts this season coming in defensive midfield.
The 20-year-old’s ability to operate comfortably in both positions could now prove particularly valuable, with injuries beginning to stretch Arsenal’s options across midfield and defence.
Indeed, Arteta also provided an update on Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie, suggesting the latter faces a more extended spell on the sidelines.
“Zubi is much, much better. Piero is improving, but it looks more significant – I think it will be a matter of weeks, but we don’t know exactly how many,” the Spaniard said.
“We have to see with Zubi how he deals with the pain on the pitch and the feelings he will face.”
With Zubimendi’s fitness still being assessed and Hincapie facing several weeks out, Lewis-Skelly’s versatility could become a major asset for Arteta as Arsenal navigate a demanding run of fixtures.
The Gunners face a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest this weekend before returning to Champions League action against Bayern Munich, with Lewis-Skelly potentially in line for another important role as Arteta looks to maintain his side’s impressive momentum.
