MIKEL ARTETA has held talks with Myles Lewis-Skelly over how to avoid being a ‘liability”.
The Arsenal rookie, 18, has been sent off twice this year.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been a revelation for Arsenal since breaking into the first team[/caption]
The 18-year-old has shown skill and composure well beyond his year[/caption]
He’s only shown some rashness with his challenges[/caption]
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen not to let the youngster become a “liability”[/caption]
And defender MLS was subbed after 35 minutes of Tuesday’s 7-1 mauling of PSV Eindhoven when he escaped a second yellow card for a rash challenge.
Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Manchester United, boss Arteta revealed: “We spoke one-on-one today, when the dust settled, and we talked openly.
“It was quite clear that we had a liability there, with the yellow card and the next action.
“The line is really thin in the sport, and he needs to understand that.
“What can we learn from that situation?
“What are the things that we have to try to avoid without losing his essence?
“He is a superb player. He has attitude, he has courage, what he transmits — certainly we have to maintain that.
“It’s just about understanding the risk and rewards.
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Arsenal ratings vs PSV as Nwaneri comes of age in Champions League drubbing but rash Lewis-Skelly is hooked early
ARSENAL steamrolled a hapless PSV side to all-but book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Gunners started without a recognised striker once again but unlike at Nottingham Forest last week, goals were not a problem in Eindhoven.
A quick-fire double from Jurrien Timber and Ethan Nwaneri around the 20th minute put the Gunners in control in what was an assured display.
Every Arsenal player impressed and they were clinical with their finishing.
Only Myles Lewis-Skelly will feel a little disappointed as he was hooked after half an hour to avoid him picking up a second yellow.
It was a shame as the youngster was performing well on the ball – he played a key role in the build-up to the opening goal.
But he could not be trusted by Mikel Arteta after he dived and caught his man with a challenge that could easily have resulted in a second booking.
It was another careless moment that allowed PSV back into the match as Thomas Partey conceded a penalty that was converted on the stroke of half-time.
But the Gunners did not rest on their laurels and came out racing after the break, scoring twice in two minutes to put the match, and the tie, to bed.
Here is how SunSport’s Kealan Hughes rated the Gunners’ display…
“Those ones when you make that mistake and you mistime it, the consequences are terrible.
“To learn when you have won, that is much better, believe me, for your confidence.
“And as well for how your team and your colleagues perceive you. So he was lucky on that.”
MLS, who had his red card at Wolves overturned on appeal but was also sent off against West Ham, has made an incredible impression at left-back this season.
And he is expected to get a first England call-up next Friday — along with young Gunners forward Ethan Nwaneri, 17.
Thomas Tuchel will announce his first squad as England boss and both are serious contenders.
Arteta said: “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.
“That’s not my decision — that will be their decision.
Mikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly will flourish in the England set-up[/caption]
“We’ll leave it to coaches and people that are super experienced, much more experienced than me.”
While Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have made the step up to Arteta’s first team, Arsenal have lost two other Academy stars, forward Chido Obi and defender Ayden Heaven, to Manchester United in the last year.
Arteta said: “When a player decides that the best pathway for him is to leave, there’s not much you can do.
“It was very unfortunate, we want to keep our players from the academy and to be successful with the first team.
“But with Ayden, we weren’t able to do that.
“Chido has a massive goal threat, an attitude and love to be inside the box, and a capacity to score in many different ways.”
