Mikel Arteta and Myles Lewis-Skelly: Addressing the Young Defender’s Rashness
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s ever-vigilant and meticulous manager, has taken a keen interest in molding the raw talent of 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly into a polished professional. Despite the youngster’s impressive performances, Lewis-Skelly has been sent off twice this year, raising concerns about his on-field decisions. In a recent interview, Arteta revealed that he had a one-on-one conversation with the teenager to address his tendency for rash challenges, which could turn him into a liability on the pitch.
A Revelation for Arsenal
Since breaking into the first team, Lewis-Skelly has been nothing short of a revelation. The 18-year-old has displayed a level of skill and composure that belies his age, swiftly endearing himself to both the coaching staff and the fans. His performances have been marked by a fearless approach and a willingness to take on opponents, qualities that are essential for a player at his stage of development. However, this bravery has sometimes led to costly mistakes, particularly in his challenges, which have put him and his team at risk.
The Thin Line Between Courage and Carelessness
During Tuesday’s 7-1 win over PSV Eindhoven, Lewis-Skelly’s rashness nearly cost the Gunners dearly. The young defender was substituted after just 35 minutes, having narrowly avoided a second yellow card for a recklessly timed challenge. In a post-match interview, Arteta emphasized the fine line between courage and carelessness. "The line is really thin in the sport, and he needs to understand that," Arteta stated. "What can we learn from that situation? What are the things that we have to try to avoid without losing his essence?"
Maintaining the Essence, Minimizing the Risks
Arteta is adamant that the key to Lewis-Skelly’s development lies in striking the right balance. "He is a superb player. He has attitude, he has courage, what he transmits—certainly we have to maintain that," the manager said. "It’s just about understanding the risk and rewards." The challenge for Arteta and his coaching staff is to ensure that Lewis-Skelly continues to play with the same confidence and fearlessness while making more measured decisions on the pitch. This is a delicate process that requires patience and consistent guidance.
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Lewis-Skelly’s future remains bright. The young defender has made such an impact this season that he is expected to receive his first call-up to the England national team. Thomas Tuchel, the new England manager, will announce his first squad on Friday, and both Lewis-Skelly and fellow young Gunner Ethan Nwaneri, 17, are serious contenders. Arteta expressed his belief in the two youngsters, stating, "Knowing Thomas and the coaching staff and the environment they have created on the England campus, it will be an incredible experience for them, if that’s the case, whenever that is."
The Challenge of Talent Retention
While Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have successfully made the step up to Arteta’s first team, Arsenal has not been as fortunate with other young talents. In the past year, the club has lost two promising Academy stars, forward Chido Obi and defender Ayden Heaven, to Manchester United. Arteta acknowledged the difficulty of retaining young players when they believe a move is in their best interest. "When a player decides that the best pathway for him is to leave, there’s not much you can do," he said. "It was very unfortunate, we want to keep our players from the academy and to be successful with the first team."
Mikel Arteta’s focus on nurturing young talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri is a testament to his commitment to building a sustainable and successful Arsenal side. By addressing the finer points of the game and fostering a supportive environment, Arteta is ensuring that these young players can grow into the future stars of the club.
