Myles Lewis-Skelly must ‘unlock’ one area of his game to oust Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s current exile from the Arsenal starting XI is down to one aspect of his game which Riccardo Calafiori is currently ahead in.
Calafiori has started all three of Arsenal‘s Premier League games so far despite Lewis-Skelly’s emergence for the Gunners and England in that position last season.
The 18-year-old was a revelation when he arrived in the Gunners line-up, comfortable in possession and inverting in midfield and becoming a fans favourite as an academy graduate.
Lewis-Skelly was rewarded with a new Arsenal contract during the summer to extend his stay in north London until 2030, but Mikel Arteta currently prefers Calafiori at left-back.
Calafiori boats better attacking statistics
Arteta likes his defenders to be aerially strong and dominant in their actions, and Calafiori has the edge over Lewis-Skelly as being a threat from set-pieces.
Calafiori headed home the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Man United 1-0 on the opening weekend of the season.
Set-pieces are a favoured avenue of goals for Arteta, but in play Calafiori also likes to get forward and provide help to the attack.
Calafiori ranks higher in a range of attacking metrics over Lewis-Skelly and as per the Daily Mail, [11 September], Arsenal assistant coach Gabriel Heinze is helping the youngster “on crossing balls into the box and how to better utilise attacking scenarios.”
| Stats | Myles Lewis-Skelly | Riccardo Calafiori |
| Minutes Played | 1,370 | 984 |
| Goals | 1 | 2 |
| Assists | 0 | 1 |
| Chances Created | 8 | 6 |
| Total Shots | 1 | 9 |
The Daily Mail also points out Calafiori ranks higher in stats like more passes into the box ands open play crosses.
Heinze “has the capacity to unlock this area” of Lewis-Skelly’s game which could be the key to forcing his way back into the Arsenal side.
Myles Lewis-Skelly fighting for England place
It isn’t just with Arsenal that Lewis-Skelly is currently having to fight for his place, but also with England with the World Cup under a year away.
Lewis-Skelly was left out of the England squad to face Serbia, with Newcastle‘s Tino Livramento preferred for the Three Lions’ toughest test of qualification.
Tottenham‘s Djed Spence came off the bench, and the 25-year-old is currently enjoying a new lease of life at Spurs and starting week in week out.
Lewis-Skelly started against Andorra three days prior, though a poor performance against the European minnows did little to suggest he should replace Calafiori at club level.
To be able to ensure he is picked for the World Cup, Lewis-Skelly needs to improve his attacking metrics or face a season on the sidelines after a campaign full of promise last time out.