Mikel Arteta has provided insight into the best positions for Myles Lewis-Skelly as the young talent receives his first call-up to the England national team.

Having played primarily as a midfielder in Arsenal’s youth teams, Lewis-Skelly has recently been deployed as a left-back for the senior squad. His versatility has been a key asset, allowing him to adapt to different roles within the team.

After an outstanding spell in the academy, he earned a well-deserved promotion to the senior side, where he has continued to impress. Arteta is keen for the youngster to develop into a world-class player, and Arsenal firmly believes they have uncovered one of the brightest talents in English football. The club is committed to allowing him the time and space to grow, ensuring he reaches his full potential.

Currently, Lewis-Skelly is Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, but his long-term position in the team remains uncertain. Given his ability to play in multiple roles, there is a strong possibility that he will be utilised in different positions as his career progresses. His adaptability provides the team with valuable tactical flexibility, and his final role as a professional may not yet be determined.

During a recent press conference, Arteta was asked about Lewis-Skelly’s versatility and his potential future positions within the squad. As quoted by Goal.com, he responded:

While his manager and peers celebrated with him on the training pitch as the news became official, one might wonder what Ethan Nwaneri must have been thinking. The 17-year-old has had an even more consistent run in our first team, whereas Skelley started on the bench last Sunday after Mikel Arteta had to remind him about his discipline, following his fortunate avoidance of a second yellow card at PSV. So fortunate, in fact, that Arteta immediately substituted him.

The fact that we are talking about two teenagers—one selected as his country’s best 26 players—while the notion that someone so young might feel disappointed to be lining up with Lee Carsley’s group U21 squad, speaks volumes about how far both have progressed so quickly.

It is worth noting that, at the start of the season, neither would have called left-back (Skelley) or a position in a front three (Nwaneri) their preferred role. This speaks to the credit due to their manager for recognising their potential and encouraging them to learn new positions.

While time will tell if, once Bukayo Saka is fit, Nwaneri returns to midfield, asking Skelley to be a defender has always been a deliberate choice. The coach discussed with the youngster over the summer that he possessed the attributes to be a fullback, and that would be his quickest route to the first team.

Arsenal is certainly not short of left-backs, meaning Skelley has been keeping out three established internationals. Like Gareth Southgate at the Euros, Tuchel does not have as many current options at left-back, which could explain why the German might be willing to put faith in someone so young for the upcoming Wembley fixtures against Albania and Latvia in the next two weeks.

Leandro Trossard has addressed concerns regarding Arsenal’s mindset throughout the season, insisting that the team has always maintained belief in themselves.

Mikel Arteta’s side has encountered various challenges over the course of the campaign, with several key players suffering injuries at crucial moments. Despite these setbacks, Arsenal has remained highly competitive in both domestic and European competitions.

At the start of the season, many expected the Gunners to contend strongly for the Premier League title, particularly if Manchester City showed signs of struggle. However, Liverpool has now emerged as the team most likely to claim the title, establishing themselves as the primary obstacle in Arsenal’s pursuit of success. While the Reds have replaced City as the frontrunners, Arsenal has remained firmly in the title race, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Even as key players have spent time on the sidelines due to injury, Arsenal has continued to perform at a high level. They currently occupy second place in the Premier League table and have also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Trossard is adamant that their mindset has not wavered, and he maintains that the squad has remained focused on their objectives throughout the season.

Speaking via Arsenal Media, he reaffirmed the team’s unwavering commitment, stating:

Riccardo Calafiori only joined Arsenal in the summer, yet he is already being linked with a potential move away from the club.

The Italian left-back initially established himself as the best option in that position at the Emirates. However, the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly has altered the situation, creating increased competition for the role. Despite the Englishman’s rapid rise, both players continue to share responsibilities in the position, and Calafiori remains a vital member of Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Arsenal are keen to retain the defender, particularly as they continue to compete for major honours this season. Losing an important player at this stage would be far from ideal, given the club’s ambitions. Calafiori has been working hard to secure more playing time, demonstrating his determination to contribute significantly to the team’s success.

However, speculation has begun to surface regarding his future, raising questions over whether he could spend only one season at the club before moving on. According to Fichajes, Real Madrid are closely monitoring the Italian and view him as a potential reinforcement for their squad. The Spanish giants are constantly looking to strengthen their team, and they reportedly see Calafiori as a player who would enhance their defensive options.

Madrid’s interest is a testament to the defender’s quality and the impression he has made in the Premier League. Since arriving in England, Calafiori has consistently delivered solid performances, proving himself as one of the league’s standout left-backs. His defensive abilities, combined with his attacking contributions, have made him a valuable asset for Arsenal.

Darwin Nunez has faced significant criticism this season due to his inconsistent goal-scoring record at Liverpool.

The Uruguayan striker is undoubtedly a talented player, but his goal return has not been as prolific as expected. Despite this, he contributes in other ways when he plays, offering pace, physicality, and movement that help create opportunities for his teammates. Liverpool has continued to publicly support him, with their manager working to find ways to maximise his potential within the team.

While Nunez has had several standout performances, including crucial matches where his contributions have helped Liverpool maintain their push for the Premier League title, his inconsistency remains a concern. His overall campaign has been marked by as many frustrating moments as decisive ones, leading to speculation that the Reds could consider offloading him at the end of the season.

This uncertainty over his future has opened the door for other clubs to express interest in signing him, with Arsenal reportedly among the potential suitors. According to Fichajes, the Gunners are one of the teams keeping an eye on Nunez, with Mikel Arteta said to be open to working with the former Benfica forward despite his struggles at Liverpool.

Arteta has shown a willingness to take on underperforming players and help them rediscover their best form. His success in revitalising Martin Odegaard’s career at Arsenal stands as a prime example of this approach. However, not every struggling player can be turned around, and signing someone with Nunez’s inconsistency would represent a significant gamble.

For at least two transfer windows, Arsenal have been in desperate need of a new striker, yet they have failed to secure one.

The Gunners have lacked a frontman capable of strengthening their squad and converting the chances they have created. Despite noticeable progress under Mikel Arteta, the Spanish manager would likely achieve even greater success if his team had a striker to reliably put the ball in the back of the net.

Almost every top striker in world football has been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent windows. However, Arsenal have been unable to add a proven goal-scorer to its squad. Fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the delays, but what do the players themselves think about this ongoing situation?

Former player turned pundit Kevin Phillips has now provided insight into what the discussions may be like in the Gunners’ dressing room. As a player who has experienced similar situations, Phillips speculates on the thoughts of the Arsenal squad. He said, as quoted by Mirror Sport:

“We’ve been in dressing rooms where a manager makes a signing and you’re like ‘oh, yeah! Delighted!’ That gives everyone a lift, a buzz. And you can’t tell me those Arsenal players are not thinking behind the scenes that ‘we need a striker, gaffer, we need a striker. Someone put the ball in the back of the net.’ So it’s going to be that ongoing question until they do go and get someone who’s out there.”

William Gallas continues to advocate for Victor Osimhen as the ideal striker for Arsenal to add to their squad.

The Nigerian forward has been in outstanding form for some time and is demonstrating his quality while spending the season on loan at Galatasaray. His performances have further solidified his reputation as a top-class striker, capable of delivering goals across multiple competitions.

It came as a surprise that no elite club moved to secure his signature last summer before he completed his loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray. However, Osimhen has once again proven his ability to score consistently, and he will likely attract significant interest from clubs looking to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window.

Arsenal has monitored Osimhen for several seasons, yet they have not made a decisive move to bring him to the Emirates. This has left Gallas puzzled, as he believes the striker possesses the attributes necessary to elevate the Gunners’ attack.

The former Arsenal defender has once again emphasised the value Osimhen could add to Mikel Arteta’s squad, highlighting that his contributions extend beyond goal-scoring. As quoted by Metro Sport, Gallas stated:

A great deal has been said regarding Arsenal’s interest in Leroy Sané, especially with the growing speculation that the German international may leave Bayern Munich at the end of the current season.

Sané has already proven himself in the Premier League, having had a successful spell at Manchester City earlier in his career. During his time at City, he worked closely with Mikel Arteta, which has led to the Gunners’ manager having a solid understanding of Sané’s qualities. Arteta is confident that he could bring out the best in the winger, should a move to Arsenal materialise.

While Sané has achieved considerable success at Bayern Munich, his relationship with the club appears to be nearing its conclusion. It is likely that he will either secure a new club or potentially sign a new contract with Bayern Munich to extend his stay. However, if he decides against remaining at Bayern, he has no immediate plans to move outside of Europe. This means Arsenal need not worry about any lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs that Sané might receive.

As reported by Team Talk, Sané and Bayern Munich will engage in fresh talks following the international break. At present, Sané’s preference appears to be remaining at his current club, with the possibility of signing a new deal before the season concludes.

Sané has enjoyed a successful career thus far, although there are concerns about whether he would be able to adjust to the demanding pace of the Premier League at this stage in his career. The Premier League is known for its relentless speed and intensity, and it remains to be seen whether Sané could cope with these challenges. However, his previous experience in England could help him should a move to Arsenal come to fruition.

Mikel Arteta is preparing his Arsenal team for one of their biggest games of the season as they gear up to take on Chelsea on Sunday in a crucial Premier League fixture. The Gunners know that this is a must-win game, and they cannot afford to drop points if they want to keep their hopes of challenging for the title alive.

Currently, Arsenal is trailing league leaders Liverpool by 15 points, a significant gap that will be difficult to close. However, if they manage to secure a victory against Chelsea, they would reduce the deficit to 12 points, which, while still a big challenge, would keep them in the title race for a little while longer. Every match from this point onward is a must-win for Arteta’s side, and the players will need to deliver a top-class performance to ensure they walk away with all three points.

Although Chelsea is not currently considered one of the main contenders for the Premier League crown this season, Arteta insists that he always expected them to be a serious threat. The Spaniard has revealed that after watching Chelsea play in pre-season, he believed they had the potential to be title challengers. With the talent they have in their squad and the tactical setup under Enzo Maresca, he saw them as a team that could have competed for the league from the start of the campaign.

Speaking about Chelsea’s quality, Arteta said, as quoted by 90Mins:

“From the moment I watched them play in pre-season, understanding how Enzo works and the talent they have in the squad, they were contenders to even win it from the beginning.”

Arsenal is approaching a crucial period where several players’ futures need to be decided, with potential departures on the horizon. As the season nears its conclusion, the Gunners will likely see some first-team stars leave, either as free agents or through sales, as they prepare to strengthen their squad for the next campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s side has made significant progress in recent seasons, boasting some of Europe’s finest talents. Despite injuries and squad limitations, Arsenal remains in contention for silverware, and fans are optimistic about the team’s future. However, to take the next step and start winning major titles, the club must make key decisions regarding outgoing and incoming transfers.

Two players who are widely expected to depart are Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Both midfielders have been valuable contributors but have faced challenges—Partey with injuries and Jorginho with age-related concerns. With Arsenal aiming to revamp their midfield, their futures remain uncertain.

Respected journalist David Ornstein recently provided an update on their situations, stating, as quoted by Give Me Sport:

“Not settled yet [exits for Partey and Jorginho], as far as I’m aware, but a very good chance. It may be influenced by the status of potential arrivals in that position.”

Leandro Trossard has found himself taking on more responsibility at Arsenal as the club deals with an attacking injury crisis. Several of Arsenal’s key attackers have been sidelined, and Trossard is now one of the few fit options left in the squad. The Belgian forward, who joined the Gunners at the start of 2023, has become an important player for the team, scoring several crucial goals throughout the season. With the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli currently unavailable, Arsenal will be hoping Trossard can continue to deliver in their absence.

Despite Trossard’s key role in the squad this season, there is growing speculation that it could be his final year at the club. Several clubs have expressed interest in the Belgian, and this could lead to a potential exit at the end of the season. In January, it seemed unlikely that Arsenal would allow Trossard to leave, even with interest from Saudi Arabian clubs. However, as time has passed, the possibility of a sale has increased.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal is now open to considering offers for Trossard when the season concludes, particularly with ongoing reports linking him to Saudi Arabian clubs. This could signal a change in Arsenal’s approach, as the club may need to offload some players before bringing in new talent.

While Trossard has been a valuable player for Arsenal, the club may decide that, should a suitable offer come in for him, it could be in their best interest to sell and use the funds to sign a replacement. This decision would likely depend on the offers Arsenal receives and their ability to find an adequate alternative to strengthen their attacking options.

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Raheem Sterling is the latest experienced player Arsenal has signed from Chelsea, following in the footsteps of Willian, David Luiz, and Jorginho—all acquired under Mikel Arteta’s tenure. As the Spanish manager continues to rebuild his squad, Arsenal has primarily focused on signing younger players under the age of 25. However, when an opportunity arises to bring in a more experienced player, Arteta is willing to take it.

Many found it surprising that Arsenal pursued Sterling in the summer, especially considering Chelsea had deemed him surplus to requirements. If he was no longer needed at Stamford Bridge, how could he be considered a suitable addition for the Gunners? Nevertheless, Arteta has made several bold decisions regarding player recruitment since taking charge, and the club has consistently backed his judgement.

Sterling arrived at the Emirates on loan from West London, but his performances have been underwhelming. His decline has been particularly concerning, as he now struggles even with fundamental aspects of his game, such as completing dribbles. Given his past success, this drop in form has been unexpected and frustrating for both the club and its supporters.

Despite his struggles on the pitch, a report in the Daily Mail suggests that Sterling still commands significant respect within the Arsenal setup. Those who work closely with him continue to hold him in high regard and believe he has the potential to regain his best form. His experience and professionalism remain valued, and there is still some hope within the club that he can turn things around.