Wayne Rooney reacts to Mikel Arteta’s Myles Lewis-Skelly move at Arsenal
Wayne Rooney gave his thoughts on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s eye-catching first-half decision against PSV Eindhoven.
Arteta made the bold move of starting Mikel Merino at striker, against PSV on Tuesday evening (4 March) in the Champions League round of 16.
Following Kai Havertz’s season ending injury, and similar fitness issues for Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Arteta’s side have struggled in the attacking department.
However, at left-back, the Spaniard is spoilt for choice, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney all viable options.
Despite starting the young Englishman, Arteta made the surprising move of substituting him after just 35 minutes.
Myles Lewis-Skelly avoids third red card after Mikel Arteta substitution
Following a soft yellow card for a foul on Luuk de Jong, the Hale End graduate made the misguided decision of lunging in on PSV full-back, Richard Ledezma.
Whilst still on the floor, the young Englishman turned to referee Jesus Gil Manzano with a look of desperation, but the Spanish referee decided against sending off Lewis-Skelly.
Speaking on TNT Sports at half-time, former Man United star, Rooney, gave his verdict on the red card decision, saying (8.50pm): “It’s really good management from Mikel Arteta, you know, he’s a young lad and he’s playing up against a tricky player so, to get him off, obviously at the time when he went off, were 3-0 up.
“So it’s easy to take him off, but I think Mikel Arteta has made the right decision.”
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Lewis-Skelly |
| Appearances | 12 |
| Starts | 8 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 2 |
| Red cards | 2 |
| Minutes | 646 |
The left-back was replaced 10 minutes after committing the second foul, being replaced by summer signing from Bologna Calafiori.
Lewis-Skelly showed his frustration by clapping his hands together whilst heading to the bench, but it was clear to see his annoyance was at his own decisions.
Riccardo Calafiori replaces Myles Lewis-Skelly and puts in stellar performance
Football Insider Verdict
The Gunners have drifted away from Liverpool in the Premier League title race, sitting 13 points behind the table-toppers, and Europe’s most prestigious club competition has become the last chance for silverware this season.
Arsenal showed their intent by putting PSV to the sword, demolishing last season’s Eredivisie champions 7-1.
Italian Calafiori looked calm, composed, and showed a clinical cutting-edge in attack, scoring and assisting off the bench.
Following his summer move as Arsenal’s marquee signing, Calafiori has struggled with injuries, limiting his starting opportunities.
However, his performances against PSV will be a cause for concern for Lewis-Skelly, as the former Juventus man showed why he was worth the £42million the Gunners shelled out for him, and the Englishman may struggle to regain his place in Arteta’s side.