Rio Ferdinand says he has been ‘baffled’ by Mikel Arteta’s treatment of Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly this season.
Lewis-Skelly, 19, made just his third Premier League start of the season in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.
The England international was expected to be one in all the important thing members of Arteta’s squad initially of the campaign after having fun with a breakthrough last yr and signing a brand new long-term contract in the summertime.
Lewis-Skelly only made his Arsenal debut in September 2024 but ended last season with 39 appearances, helping the Gunners challenge for the Premier League and go deep within the Champions League.
Premier League legends Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher hailed Lewis-Skelly as their Young Player of the Season, though he missed out on the official award to Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
Lewis-Skelly’s lack of game-time this season has even led to speculation over his long-term future at Arsenal amid reported interest from Manchester United.
Old Trafford icon Ferdinand admits he has been surprised by Lewis-Skelly’s frustrating campaign and says he was impressed by his performance against Fulham.
Asked what he product of Lewis-Skelly on the weekend, Ferdinand – speaking on his YouTube channel – said: ‘I just thought how is he not getting more game-time?
‘I just think the energy he brings to the Arsenal team, the aggression, he got out to players. I’ve been baffled that he hasn’t played more football for Arsenal.
‘In case you take into consideration what he did last season, he was arguably the best young player within the Premier League. What’s he done improper to not play?
‘Listen, if Arsenal win the league then obviously Mikel Arteta is correct but even talking just selfishly you would like young English players playing and he showed he can play last season.
‘He can play in multiple positions as well, he can play left back or in midfield where he played growing up.
‘Martin Zubimendi has looked a bit drained and leggy at times and Lewis-Skelly just injected that correct amount of spark and energy that Arsenal needed.
‘It’s difficult to assume him not playing many of the games until the tip of the season now.’
It was reported last month that Arsenal would only consider selling Lewis-Skelly for an ‘absolutely crazy’ transfer fee.
Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, was said to be keeping his options open with regard to a summer transfer after slipping down Arteta’s pecking order.
More involvement between now and the tip of the season could dismiss any suggestions of a summer move, nevertheless, with Arsenal closing in on the Premier League title and competing for the Champions League.
Arsenal’s routine win over London rivals Fulham put them six points clear of Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s side were only in a position to cut that lead by one as they drew 3-3 with Everton on Monday night.
In addition to competing for his or her first league title since 2004, Arsenal are also aiming to succeed in the Champions League final ahead of the second leg of their semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Little separated the Premier League and La Liga teams in the primary leg in Madrid, with Julian Alvarez’s penalty cancelling out Viktor Gyokeres’ spot-kick in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
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