Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed his disbelief at Mikel Arteta’s team selection, questioning why Myles Lewis-Skelly has been dropped to the bench despite his impressive breakthrough season with Arsenal.
‘What Has He Done?’: Ferdinand Reacts to Lewis-Skelly’s Reduced Arsenal Role
On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand stated he “can’t believe” Lewis-Skelly is struggling for game-time this season and was particularly surprised to see the youngster only make a late cameo in Arsenal’s recent 2-1 win over Newcastle United.
“What’s Lewis-Skelly done? What he’s done?” Ferdinand asked rhetorically.
“Sometimes you have to do something wrong to get out of the team, surely? Or has Lewis-Skelly just played a lot of football as a young kid so they’re giving him a breather? I would love to know what’s happened”.
While acknowledging that new signing Riccardo Calafiori – an Italian international – is a “good player,” Ferdinand firmly rejected the idea that Calafiori is a more complete player.
“No way. No way,” he responded.
“Lewis-Skelly is better on the ball in midfield and I didn’t see him get beat defensively last season.
I watched him in big games last season and he looked so unfazed, it was a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the team”.
Despite Ferdinand’s confusion, manager Mikel Arteta has suggested that Lewis-Skelly’s situation is part of normal squad competition.
He explained that a player can be at a “really good level but somebody can be at a different level,” emphasizing that Lewis-Skelly hasn’t “done something wrong at all, completely the opposite”.
Arteta has challenged the 19-year-old to “show the level that he’s at, elevate it, and make the decision even harder” when given opportunities.
The Arsenal manager has also hinted that Lewis-Skelly’s long-term future may be in midfield rather than at left-back, noting “if you look at the amount of time that Myles defends and attacks in certain spaces, he’s much more a midfielder than a full-back”.
Lewis-Skelly, who made 39 appearances for Arsenal last season and earned his senior England debut in March, is expected to get more opportunities in cup matches as he works to regain his starting position.
