‘Plays like a No. 10’ – Gary Neville blown away by one Arsenal defender
Gary Neville has praised Arsenal’s strength in depth following their recent 5-0 win at home against Leeds United.
Arsenal beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League’s opening weekend and were the big favourites against Leeds United today.
Mikel Arteta‘s men started slowly but quickly grew into the game. Although Viktor Gyokeres had a nightmare first half against Leeds, his second-half brace quietened critics.
Jurrien Timber also netted two, with Bukayo Saka the other to find the back of the net.
And for one player, despite being introduced as a substitute, the Sky Sports commentary team were more than complimentary in their assessment.
Gary Neville praises Myles Lewis-Skelly’s versatility
Full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly started on the bench but was brought on in place of Riccardo Calafiori after 64 minutes.
The young Englishman slotted in and made an instant impact on the game, keeping debutant Noah Okafor quiet.
It wasn’t the Arsenal full-back’s defending that caught Neville’s eye, though. The youngster’s ability to affect the Gunners’ attacking transitions prompted the former Manchester United defender to suggest he’s more than capable of playing as a No. 10.
“He plays like a No. 10, some of his touches when he gets it played into him, he really knows where he is,” he told Sky Sports during the match.
“I’ve seen him a couple of times just jink in there away from people. He is going to get the odd whack.”
Irrespective of his inexperience, Lewis-Skelly’s ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch makes him one of the league’s finest full-backs.
Mikel Arteta building exciting future at Arsenal
Despite being an established international for England, Lewis Skelly is still just 18 years old. You’d never know it by his maturity and calmness on the ball, though.
And he isn’t the only one showing promising signs. Ethan Nwaneri, also 18, is another one of Mikel Arteta’s hottest prospects.
The youngster has already scored nine senior goals. As a result, Nwaneri signed a new contract earlier in the summer.
Max Dowman is arguably the most exciting of the lot, though. The teenager, just 15 years old, made his senior debut during the second half against Leeds United and didn’t look out of place on the big stage at all.
Unlucky not to score himself before winning his side a last-minute penalty, which Gyokeres took and scored, Dowman is definitely one of the country’s most exciting prospects.
The future is bright for the Gunners.