Mikel Arteta reveals Myles Lewis-Skelly talks over Arsenal discipline | OneFootball

Defender was fortunate to have avoided red card in big win over PSV

Arteta took Lewis-Skelly off in Arsenal’s win over PSV

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Mikel Arteta has had a one-on-one talk with Myles Lewis-Skelly after hooking him before half time during Arsenal’s resounding win over PSV Eindhoven.

Already on a booking, the 18-year-old mistimed a tackle on PSV winger Richard Ledezma just minutes later and he was lucky to not be shown a second yellow card.

Arteta duly took Lewis-Skelly off, replacing him with Riccardo Calafiori, and the Gunners went on to win the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie 7-1.

The Arsenal manager had discussion with Lewis-Skelly on Friday about the substitution and believes it will be a valuable lesson for the left-back.

“It was today that I did that (had a talk with Lewis-Skelly),” said Arteta. “When the dust has settled, and [you can] talk openly.

“What can we learn from that situation? How can we expose the team? What are the things that we have to try to avoid without losing his essence that your colleague was talking about?

“And that’s what we have to do – understand where that line is. Because he is a superb player. He has attitude, he has courage…what he transmits.

“Certainly we have to maintain that. And just understanding the risk and rewards. What part of the pitch you are in and when you have to bet certain things that can give you big rewards and, sometimes guys, stay away from that bet, because it is not good for us.

“It happens with the senior ones as well! A lot! Depending on the part of the pitch that you play. Those ones when you make that mistake and you mistime it, the consequences are terrible.

“From the front players, it happens the same…it’s for everybody. We are in a constant learning process.

“That one, you have to be lucky. Because to learn when you’ve won, that is much better. Believe me! [It is much better] for your confidence and as well for how your team and your colleagues perceive you, so he was lucky on that.”