Riccardo Calafiori has uncoachable edge over Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Rio Ferdinand agrees
Riccardo Calafiori has become Arsenal’s first-choice left-back leaving Myles Lewis-Skelly fighting for his place in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Despite Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly vying for Arsenal’s left-back position, this term has seen the Italian establish himself as Arteta‘s preferred choice.
Even though Calafiori’s performance against Newcastle was heavily criticised, the former Bologna defender has started all of the Gunners’ first six league matches with Lewis-Skelly resigned to just 78 minutes in total.
Riccardo Calafiori clearly preferred over Myles Lewis-Skelly
Undoubtedly the man of the moment, Calafiori has already started in more than half of the total league games he did throughout last season (11).
Lewis-Skelly has found himself at the opposite end of that spectrum. The 19-year-old played an average of 60 minutes per game throughout the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, including 15 starts. These numbers are a long way off where he is this term, though.
Lewis-Skelly stayed on the bench throughout Arsenal‘s biggest three games so far — Liverpool away in the Premier League (21 August), Athletic Club away in the Champions League (16 September) and Manchester City at home in the Premier League (21 September) — a clear sign Calafiori is preferred in the bigger matches.
Height the key driver in Mikel Arteta’s decision making
Although very few doubt Lewis-Skelly’s ability, it seems Arsenal’s physical approach is the driving force behind Arteta’s decision to stick with Calafiori, and there is no denying it, when it comes to set-pieces, the Gunners are among Europe’s best.
Despite concerns Arsenal scored so many corners last season due to wrestling in the box, they’ve netted over 30 set-piece goals in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons combined, and, worryingly for their opponents, they’re getting even better from deadball situations.
Even though we have only just played Game Week 6, Arsenal have already scored as many goals from set-pieces with Gabriel’s 96th-minute headed winner from a corner against Newcastle (28 September) the latest in an impressive list of aerial duels won.
- Riccardo Calafiori (vs Man United, 17 Aug, 2025)
- Jurrien Timber (vs Leeds, 23 Aug, 2025)
- Jurrien Timber (vs Leeds, 23 Aug, 2025)
- Martin Zubimendi (vs Nott’m Forest, 13 Sept, 2025)
- Mikel Merino (vs Newcastle, 28 Sept, 2025)
- Gabriel (vs Newcastle, 28 Sept, 2025)
And considering Arsenal’s first team average height is just 6′ 0″, it makes their aerial threat even more impressive.
Rio Ferdinand thinks Lewis-Skelly has been dropped for tactical reasons
Only Gabriel Jesus (5′ 7″), Ethan Nwaneri (5′ 7″) and Leandro Trossard (5′ 6″) are shorter than Lewis-Skelly, who stands 5′ 8″ tall.
And Rio Ferdinand believes the teenager’s lack of aerial presence is the primary reason for his exclusion from Arteta’s starting lineups this season.
“What has [Lewis] Skelly done?” Ferdinand questioned on his YouTube channel.
Sarcastically referring to their direct approach to set-pieces, co-host Steve Howson responded: “Do you think it’s because Calafiori is better in the air and they are Stoke FC?”
“Yeah,” Ferdinand said. “Defensively and attacking-wise, [Calafiori is] a bigger threat in their box and better defensively in the air.”
And judging by how Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly have performed, particularly in their aerial duels this season, and last, Ferdinand might not be wrong.
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers…
Why Calafiori is crucial to Arsenal’s aerial dominance
Not only has Calafiori already scored from an Arsenal set-piece this season, but he has remained a constant threat in the air.
The Italian defender has won just over half of his 17 aerially contested duels, and although Lewis-Skelly boasted the same win percentage last season, the 19-year-old wasn’t even averaging one contested duel in the air per 90.
When it comes to the way Arteta wants his Arsenal team to play, Calafiori’s dominance in the air, both in Arsenal’s offensive, and defensive, thirds, make him an obvious pick over a player like Lewis-Skelly.
Having said that, while Lewis-Skelly may not be able to do anything about his height, he remains a much more technically proficient and stylish on-the-ball player.
Although most fans will understand why Calafiori has the left-back position nailed down, there will be a desire to see how Lewis-Skelly would perform in a more centrally advanced role.
Arteta’s next big problem to solve is not only how to keep both players happy, but how to get the best out of them… at the same time.