Arteta reveals chat with Lewis-Skelly after early substitution against PSV | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says he has spoken to youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly following his recent disciplinary issues but insists he does not want him to lose his “essence”.

The 18-year-old was sent off in the defeat to West Ham last month and Arteta opted to replace the left-back before half-time in Arsenal’s 7-1 demolition of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

After being booked for a pull-back on Luuk de Jong, he escaped a second yellow card soon after for a sliding challenge which prompted Arteta to bring on Riccardo Calafiori in his place.

And the Arsenal boss says it is about trying to find the right balance between aggression and discipline in order for Lewis-Skelly to keep progressing.

“Today I did, when the dust settled,” Arteta said when asked if he had spoken to Lewis-Skelly.

“We talked openly. What can we learn from that situation? What are the things we have to try to avoid? Without losing his essence.

“That’s what we have to do, to understand where that line is. He’s a superb player, his attitude, his courage, what he transmits, certainly we have to maintain that.

“It’s understanding the risk and reward. What part of the pitch you are in, whether you can bet certain things to give you big rewards, but sometimes staying away from that bet because it’s not good for us.”

The Gunners have dealt with a significant red card problem this season having had five players sent off in the Premier League this campaign and Arteta was keen to stress that it is an area where the whole team must improve.

“It happens to the senior ones as well,” he continued. “A lot.

“Depending on the part of pitch you play, the ones where you make the mistake and mistime it, the consequences are terrible. For the front players it happens the same.

“It’s for everybody. I think we are in a constant learning process and with that you have to be lucky because to learn when you won, it’s much better. Believe me. For your confidence, and also how your team and your colleagues perceive you.”