Arsenal: Mikel Arteta suggests Myles Lewis-Skelly position change as injury crisis eases | OneFootball

The youngster has impressed at left-back this season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly could revert back to a midfield role now that the club's mini injury crisis has eased.

Though the 18-year-old caught the eye at academy level operating as a midfielder, his senior appearances have all come at left-back.

In fact, a shortage of options in this department has resulted in the England U19 international being involved with the first team more regularly.

Given Arteta's preference for the left-back in his system to move inside to overload the centre to dominate possession, Lewis-Skelly's transition has been quite smooth and he's been given a huge show of faith by his manager on several occasions already this season.

His two Premier League outings so far have been as a substitute against Manchester City and Liverpool - being tasked with keeping tabs on Mohamed Salah in the latter.

Furthermore, he got the nod over Oleksandr Zinchenko to replace Riccardo Calafiori in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk at a time when the Gunners were without Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.

But in recent weeks, Arsenal have welcomed back all but one of their senior left-back options, and as a result, this will almost certainly reduce Lewis-Skelly's opportunities to gain more experience in that position.

Mikel Arteta has trusted Myles Lewis-Skelly in some big games this season.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

However, the youngster's versatility means he will figure into Arteta's plans as the Spaniard has hinted at using Lewis Skelly as one of his three central midfielders moving forward.

"That’s an option. He can play in three different positions," the Gunners' boss said at a news conference ahead of his side's clash against West Ham United.

"He can play as a holder, he can play as a left-attacking midfielder. So gaps for him."

Similar to the left-back department, Arsenal are well-stocked in the two midfield roles Arteta referenced.

In holding midfield, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice and Jorginho are the senior options whilst Rice, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz have all featured as the left-sided attacking midfielder.

Having said that, as seen with fellow youngster Ethan Nwaneri, Arteta will ease Lewis-Skelly in and the fact he can play multiple positions can only be regarded as a positive.