ARSENAL’S teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly has opened up on his bid to emulate a departing Gunners star.
The starlet, 18, is striving to win trophies on all fronts this season after helping his side complete a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.
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Lewis-Skelly is establishing himself as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s first team at left back, despite starring in The Hale End academy as a central midfielder.
And on the day it came out that Kieran Tierney is free to leave the Gunners, he opened up on what he’s learned from the Scottish full-back.
He said: “I tried to mirror [myself on] Kieran Tierney.
“Be strong in my duels, help the team out defensively and just be secure.
“He’s a great defender. His recovery runs are top so I tell him all the time that I take bits from his game.
“His crosses into the box are exceptional because he’s a natural left back.
“I’ve learnt a lot from him.”
Lewis-Skelly made his first Champions League start against Monaco last week.
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And he was rewarded with his full Premier League debut against Everton – both in which he kept successive clean sheets.
He progresses the ball brilliantly from left-back and shows maturity developed during his time growing up as a midfielder.
He continued: “[I’m strong] on the ball, ball retention and keeping the play simple.
“I’ve taken the basics from midfield to left back so it’s helped me.
No doubt it’s been a lot for a young man to take on his shoulders, having so much faith put in him by Arteta.
But he believes that by the end of the season, Arsenal will still be competing for trophies.
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Arsenal player ratings vs Everton
ARSENAL wasted their chance to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points as they were left frustrated by a resilient Everton.
Here’s how the players rated
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
No save to make. Could have lounged in the dressing room for the majority of the 90 minutes.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 7
Started where he left off in mid-week in the Champions League, picking up great pockets of space in midfield and linking defence to attack with pace and precision.
GABRIEL – 6
Incredible recovery tackle to deny Doucoure with Saliba down injured. Well marked at corners with Everton doubling up on the Brazilian.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 6
Lucky not to see Everton take the lead when he was down and out of position, but other than that was fairly untroubled.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 5
Tried his best to insert some pace and urgency down the right-hand side but lacking in attacking areas.
DECLAN RICE – 5
A rare anonymous showing from the England international. Did not do enough to impose himself but for a few decent tackles. No shock to see him hooked after 62 minutes.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
Showed glimpses, but still needs to get up to speed with pace Arsenal want to play at through the middle.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
Blazed over and dragged wide from two good early chances – missing his shooting boots in the first half just like against Monaco – and looked generally off it.
It was still a surprise to see him subbed off just after the hour mark for Nwaneri.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Had a field day up against Mykolenko as Everton struggled to contain his brilliant movement and strength on the ball, yet Pickford made save after save.
Got in the way of a free Havertz header towards the end.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Lively, especially because he had the beating of Young with some darting runs that kept the 39-year-old busy and was denied by Pickford from a tight angle.
But yet again, was taken off for Trossard.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
Lacked a serious goal threat but created Arsenal’s best chance with a delicious flick around the corner for Saka.
SUBS:
ETHAN NWANERI (ODEGAARD, 62) – 6
A few nice touches and turns, looking for that trademark left-footed curling finish.
JORGINHO (RICE, 62) – 6
Got on the ball as Arsenal’s primary dictator from deep.
THOMAS PARTEY (LEWIS-SKELLY, 68) – 5
Offered very little.
GABRIEL JESUS (MERINO, 68) – 5
One dangerous cross easily claimed by Pickford was about it.
LEANDRO TROSSARD (MARTINELLI, 74) – 6
A bright spark. A few good crosses as Young tired on the left.
The promising youngster added: “We aim to be winning trophies this season.
“That’s our goal, we want to strive to win and you have to be in competition to win, so we’re happy about that.”
For Tierney, he will leave the club on a free after a stint with the Gunners beset by injury.
Tierney made his first appearance in six months against Palace on Wednesday, but was again forced from the field with a knock late on.
Arsenal have decided against triggering the Scot’s one-year extension, with his contract set to expire in the summer.