Summary: With a draw against Everton, Arsenal further weakened their already tenuous title hopes against Liverpool.
Myles Everton was able to re-enter the game after Lewis-Skelly handed up the penalty.
Lewis-Skelly is better suited for a midfield position than a left-back, according to fans.
The Gunners’ 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday afternoon might as well have ended with them raising a white flag and handing the trophy over to the Anfield team, as if their chances of unseating Liverpool and winning the 2024–25 Premier League title weren’t already minimal. Leandro Trossard gave Goodison Park the lead, but Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty kick at the start of the second half made sure the points were shared on Merseyside.
When tiny Myles Lewis-Skelly bundled over Jack Harrison, the Toffees gained what seemed to be an exceptionally soft spot-kick. Both men were involved in the tussle, according to replays, and Lewis-Skelly’s final contact, which put the Everton winger down inside the area, didn’t seem to be enough to merit a penalty.
The teenager has already been sent off for stopping a counterattack against Wolves this season, so this is not the first time he has been the target of a contentious decision. Even if it might be unfair to be too critical of him in this situation, Mikel Arteta might be persuaded to reconsider his current use of him if he continues to make decisions that could change the course of the game.
Arteta Must Consider Moving Lewis-Skelly Away From Left-Back
The youngster is more suited to playing further up the pitch
Since making his debut for the first squad, Lewis-Skelly has settled in as a backup left-back. It is strikingly similar to how Bukayo Saka initially created an impression on the Arsenal team but was eventually forgotten. However, the starboy’s attacking ability was too strong to ignore, and he is now the team’s first-choice right-winger.
Arteta needs to start considering other ways he can contribute, even though Lewis-Skelly has performed well enough in that role to earn his full England debut last month.
Lewis-Skelly is a well-liked member of the Arsenal and Three Lions camps and is said to have an amazing attitude. He deserves a position at Emirates because of his undeniable talent and potential. On the other hand, making him play as a substitute left-back can wind up hurting the team and the individual. Although Lewis-Skelly was occasionally draughted to play on the left, he was raised as a midfielder and played a more central role in the younger teams.
Even though Lewis-Skelly’s red card at Molineux and the penalty he was given for challenging Harrison were harsh decisions, they are indications that he occasionally plays defensively rashly and hastily, which may be expensive. In his brief professional career, he has already been sent off twice, the other time during the 1-0 loss to West Ham. His hasty choices as a member of the back four are being emphasised.
It’s interesting to note that, in addition to the evident need for a goal scorer, Arteta appears to be searching for a midfield player to complement Declan Rice. To the degree that it appears likely that Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad will be the answer. Lewis-Skelly, on the other hand, might also meet that description. With a seasoned coach like Rice by his side, perhaps his errors will gradually decrease as he keeps demonstrating his abilities, driving with the ball in central areas and providing an additional attacking threat when the Gunners try to sneak into the opposition penalty area.
There’s no denying that his awkwardness is starting to hurt him, and even Arsenal supporters are urging Arteta to bench him.
Arsenal Fans Call For Arteta to Change Lewis-Skelly’s Position
Supporters are ready to see the youngster be tried in a new role
“As great as he has been Lewis-Skelly isn’t a left back that’s obvious Arteta needs to end this gimmick,” one Arsenal supporter wrote on social media, calling on Arteta to remove the young player from defence. “Are we permitted to criticise Lewis-Skelly because that was another extremely bad moment for him?” a second person remarked. He’s not a left-back, so of course we have to be cautious with him, but how many goals has he allowed this season?”
“Lewis-Skelly is not a left-back,” said a third. A fourth said: “Lewis-Skelly needs to get out of left-back,” while another said: “Arteta needs to stop killing his confidence and making him into something he’s not.”
Lewis-Skelly is too talented to not be playing in midfield, according to a fifth, who also gushed about the academy graduate’s ability and thought he needed to be pushed higher up the pitch. What a player.
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