Mikel Arteta addressed the versatility of Myles Lewis-Skelly as a squad member at Arsenal.

The Hale End academy graduate broke into the first team as a left back in the absence of Riccardo Calafiori during the 2024/25 campaign, helping the Gunners get to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, his playing time drastically reduced when Calafiori returned to full fitness last season and Piero Hincapié helped the Italian to manage minutes in a slightly revamped role.

·‘He's in a really good moment’

Lewis-Skelly sat on the sidelines until Arteta decided to trust him in the month of May as a pivot player next to Declan Rice instead of Martin Zubimendi. The teenager helped the team get over the line in the Premier League title race, and he has remained as a midfielder for the new campaign.

But Arteta did call on his services as a left back in the 3-0 midweek win over LOSC Lille to protect Calafiori in the absence of the injured Hincapié, and Lewis-Skelly’s versatility was commended.

Versatility across midfield and defence

“We just discussed that a few days ago because we had a doubt that when a player is in such a good moment, playing a certain position, changing him is not ideal. But we had an injury with Piero Hincapié, and we knew that at some point we were going to need it with the schedule that we have.

“He responded incredibly well. I think he had a big performance the other night, and that shows you his maturity, the capacity to adapt, the intelligence of the player. He's in a really good moment.

“We always made him aware, especially when we have thoughts, to be prepared and to understand the role, and the things that he needs to dominate in that specific game. He's very open and he knows that being able to play in different positions. As a six, as an eight, as a full-back, he’s going to open more possibilities to play, and that's a massive asset, and he's got the capacity to do that.”