Thierry Henry says Miles Lewis-Skelly’s future lies in midfield after his “outstanding” performance against Fulham put him in contention for a starting spot in the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
The 19-year-old, a natural midfielder making his first senior start and third Premier League start this season, played an eye-catching role in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over the Cottages.
Lewis-Skelly has been behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie in Mikel Arteta’s left-back pecking order this season, but Henry was impressed with his all-round performance in his new role on Saturday.
“Like everyone, I thought Declan Rice was another great player, but Miles was completely different,” Henry said on Monday Night Football.
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Watch for free: Highlights of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Fulham.
“Not only was he good with the ball, he was good at reading plays, stopping plays, going for them. He played really well.
“It’s one thing to be patient and another to be upset about the situation, but he was ready.
“It didn’t look like he hadn’t played in a long time.
“He controlled the game and moved forward. He took the game ahead at times, which is great.”
Lewis-Skelly’s performance has led some to call for him to remain ahead of Martin Zvimendi for Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Zvimendi’s form has been patchy in the second half of the season, with the Spain international playing more minutes than any of Arsenal’s other outfield players and looking fatigued.
Henry will be interested to see what direction Arteta takes. “I don’t know if he’ll be a little more comfortable going because of the size of the game, but as far as next season goes, he’s shown that it could be a new position for him.
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Miles Lewis-Skelly recalls hugging Mikel Arteta at full-time after Arsenal’s win over Fulham and jokes with Paul Merson about starting against Atletico Madrid
“He has done very well. I wouldn’t mind him starting, but it’s understandable given the size of the game and Zvimendi playing a little more safely sometimes.”
“Don’t underestimate his experience in this kind of match. But do you want to see him on Tuesday? Yes, okay?”
“But Mikel Arteta is the manager.”
Carla: “Arsenal should keep Rice in sixth place”
Jamie Carragher was impressed by Lewis Skelly’s midfield partner Rice’s performance against Fulham and feels the 27-year-old should finish the season in the number six position.
Rice has been deployed at the base of Arsenal’s midfield for the last two games and followed up on his dominant performance in Madrid with another solid performance on Saturday.
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Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal will have more dynamism with Declan Rice playing deeper in midfield instead of Martin Zvimendi
“Myles Lewis-Skelly has been great, but I think the big thing for me in the last two games for Arsenal was Declan Rice getting deeper,” Carragher added on Monday Night Football.
“In that position, Rice has a little more dynamism than Zvimendi. He’s quick on things, he passes faster, he’s sharper.”
“I think he’s a complete midfield player. He can play as a number six or as an eight. It’s not a big difference.”
“But watching him play, he ran everywhere for the ball and seemed to really enjoy it.
Victor Goqueres celebrates with Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard after giving Arsenal a 3-0 lead against Fulham
“It was like, ‘I’m back in my sixth inning position. I can get on the ball a little bit more easily.’
“I thought he was outstanding at the weekend, and against Madrid I thought he played very well and controlled the game.
“From now on, even if Zvimendi plays, I think for now we should leave him there at six o’clock.”
Carragher feels Arteta’s midfield adjustments helped Arsenal as they lost 2-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
“We showed improvement away in midweek. We responded well against Atlético Madrid. We had a tense 20 minutes, but we’ve played them away in the semi-final and they were tough.”
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Mikel Arteta says he is hungry to reach the Champions League final ahead of the semi-final between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium
“I thought it was a step forward not only in results but also in performance.
“I felt like I had more energy back against Fulham and I didn’t feel like I was under any stress.
“One of the things I’ve noticed about Arsenal lately is that they look tired.
“I think he needed to do something in midfield, but it’s just a matter of whether he keeps doing it.
“And maybe Zvimendi needed a rest. And he comes back refreshed. But I was really worried about Arsenal’s central midfield.”
Henry: This is the Saka I want to see.
Bukayo Saka also drew praise from the Monday Night Football team after scoring one goal and setting up another in his first start since the Carabao Cup final against Fulham.
Henry felt that the England players were initially hesitant about taking down their opponents during the match, but as the afternoon progressed he felt his courage was rewarded.
After beating Raul Jimenez to set up Victor Goqueres’ opening goal, Saka scored the second goal himself, raising hopes of ending a difficult season on a high.
Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring Arsenal’s second goal against Fulham
“That’s what I wanted to see in Bukayo,” Henry said. “That’s what we have to see from Bukayo vs Atlético until the end of the season and next year.
“Go back to being yourself. Dribble, come forward, be brave.
“We defend as a team. Offensively, the last third is a test of ourselves, what we’re going to do, our brains, our creativity.
“I can’t tell you when to shoot or dummy someone. That’s natural. But be brave. Girl, do it again.”
