According to a report by Football London on Saturday, October 17, 2026, despite the youngster's outstanding play in midfield, Mikel Arteta expressed reservations about re-placing Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back in preparation for Arsenal's Champions League match against Lille.

The 20-year-old made a strong impact in central midfield toward the end of last season, and now he is one of Arsenal's promising talents. His recent performances have further strengthened his position in the squad.

Lewis-Skelly played central midfielder while developing in Arsenal's academy, but he broke into the first team as a left back. He used to be in a starting position battle with Riccardo Calafiori due to his defensive prowess.

Nevertheless, his development in the middle of the field has elevated him to a more significant role there. Arsenal’s defensive injury problems forced Arteta to reconsider his selection ahead of the European fixture against Lille.

Due to Piero Hincapie's injury and Calafiori's need for rest, Arteta decided to start Lewis-Skelly at left back. The youngster's outstanding performance in the middle of the field caused some to question the decision at first.

According to Arteta, it's not always easy to switch up a player's position when he's on fire. He said the coaching staff were unsure whether moving Lewis-Skelly away from midfield would be the right choice at that moment.

Regardless, the manager of Arsenal was very complimentary of the youth's reaction, praising his outstanding performance and versatility. Along with his maturity, intelligence, and game knowledge, Arteta praised him.

The versatility of Lewis-Skelly has made it difficult for Arteta to make regular midfield substitutions, especially since Bruno Guimaraes joined the team in the summer.

The Brazilian midfielder has strengthened his case with decisive goals against Sunderland and Leeds United, demonstrating his ability to make an impact in important matches.

Despite Guimaraes’ contributions, Lewis-Skelly’s recent performances have reportedly placed him in a strong position in the midfield competition, leaving Arteta with difficult decisions as Arsenal prepare for their upcoming fixtures.

With both players delivering impressive displays, Arteta will need to carefully manage his options to maintain Arsenal’s consistency while ensuring that his most in-form players receive opportunities.