Nigel Winterburn has explained how Mikel Arteta’s tactical shift has forced Myles Lewis-Skelly out of Arsenal’s starting XI this season.
Arsenal icon Winterburn is a huge fan of Lewis-Skelly and says the teenage left-back performed ‘tremendously well’ last term, starting 15 Premier League games for the Gunners and seven Champions League matches.
But Lewis-Skelly hasn’t started any of Arsenal’s three top-flight games so far this season, losing his spot to Riccardo Calafiori, with the 18-year-old Englishman not even making it off the bench in the defeat to Liverpool.
Winterburn believes the reason for dropping Lewis-Skelly is because he plays in more of an inverted role – drifting into midfield, his original position in his academy days – while Calafiori is better suited on the outside.
A former left-back himself, Winterburn feels Arteta is now asking his left winger to play in an inverted role so whoever plays on the left side of defence needs to stop cutting inside and stay out wide instead.
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‘I think Lewis-Skelly plays more inverted, into a midfield role,’ Winterburn told Metro. ‘We’ve seen this season Calafiori play a little wider.
‘I’m just wondering if there’s a slight [tactical] shift. I’m assuming here that Eberechi Eze is going to play on the left but maybe play inside slightly. That would create space for Calafiori on the outside.
‘[Lewis-Skelly] started in midfield in Arsenal’s academy. They switched him to left-back and he’s done tremendously well.
‘When you’re at a big club, you’ve always got to try and improve. You’re always looking to make sure your performances are at a high level.
‘But there will always be something they are looking to do with individual players. With Lewis-Skelly, we know we can step into midfield and drive forward with the ball. We’ve seen that.
‘Maybe it might be that they want him to go on the outside a little bit more, especially if the wide player steps in. Usually he comes inside if Gabriel Martinelli is on the outside.
‘You should be working on your game daily, anyway. I’ve just seen a clip of Lewis-Skelly working on his crossing.
‘With Viktor Gyokeres in the team, I would think that’s something they’d look to do. But you’ve got to get into the right areas.’
Winterburn has assured Lewis-Skelly that he will get plenty of game time this season – and has reminded fans that he only first starting getting opportunities when Calafiori got injured last term.
‘If you look back at the start of last season – you probably would’ve said Calafiori would’ve started ahead of Lewis-Skelly,’ Winterburn added.
‘Calafiori got injured and then Lewis-Skelly did amazingly well. We’re very strong in the full-back positions and I think it’ll change quite regularly.
‘Ben White had a little injury but I think he’s back after the international break. Jurrien Timber can play right and left. You have Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly.
‘With all the competitions Arsenal are in, he’s going to get plenty of game time.’
