Myles Lewis-Skelly could be handed an Arsenal lifeline as new injury concern emerges
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future at Arsenal is up in the air after England boss Thomas Tuchel expressed concerns around his game-time so far this season.
Arsenal‘s stellar defensive record at the start of this season has seen Myles Lewis-Skelly struggle for minutes in the Premier League up to now.
The 19-year-old has made seven substitute appearances that have equated to just 86 minutes of action in the league, while he has featured in a further five games in Europe and the Carabao Cup.
He was not named in Thomas Tuchel‘s latest England squad last week despite being called up for the last four camps, as the Three Lions boss warned Lewis-Skelly that he needs to play more to make it to next year’s World Cup.
Lewis-Skelly has been linked with a move away from Arsenal as a result of those comments, but he could soon be in for a run in Mikel Arteta‘s side following a new update away from the club.
Riccardo Calafiori’s new injury could give Lewis-Skelly more Arsenal minutes
Riccardo Calafiori has been Arteta’s go-to left-back ahead of Lewis-Skelly this season, with starts in all 11 of their league games and one goal and two assists to his name so far.
He has been one of their standout performers, but is currently nursing a hip injury on international duty with Italy and is set to miss their World Cup qualifier against Moldova this week.
Calafiori has has been training on his own away from his international teammates since leaving the Gunners and is believed to be prioritising recovery as he aims to feature against Norway on Sunday (16 November).
This issue could be short-term, but the fact he has picked something up either playing for Arsenal or in training shows that he is in need of a rest more often than what he has been given in the last few months.
Calafiori has been key for Arsenal, but his injury concerns and previous record of being sidelined could see Arteta err on the side of caution in the weeks and months to come and give Lewis-Skelly more chances in league games.
He impressed in his 19 top-flight appearances last season, and so that factor alongside Calafiori’s injuries and the potential for Lewis-Skelly to leave will surely see Arteta hand him more chances very soon.
Calafiori has a chequered injury history after initial Arsenal concerns
Calafiori’s current injury could well be a minor one that sees him fit for the Gunners’ huge next clash against Tottenham after the break, but he has history of issues and Arsenal should be concerned.
The Italian defender suffered a brutal knee injury that nearly ended his career at 16-years-old while playing in Roma‘s academy, and missed 33, 18 and 15 games for their first-team with different injuries across the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
He stayed pretty fit at his last club Bologna, but struggled throughout his first season at Arsenal after The Athletic had initially reported that Arteta had to convince the club’s hierarchy to sign Calafiori and to look past any historic injury concerns.
Calafiori missed 30 games as he suffered respective calf and knee problems throughout the campaign, and now those concerns have reared their head once more, it could well be to the benefit of young Lewis-Skelly.