Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly showcased on his debut how he is a “competitor” after he was involved in a heated exchange with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
Lewis-Skelly and Haaland became embroiled in an altercation towards the end of Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium as tempers threatened to boil over.
Haaland and Gabriel pushed each other shortly after Thomas Partey was fouled following John Stones’ late equaliser - and Lewis-Skelly rushed over to defend his team-mate.
The 17-year-old, who was making his Arsenal debut, was given short shrift by Haaland and the situation eventually fizzled out.
“He (Lewis-Skelly) is a competitor,” said Arteta, when asked about the incident.
“You look at him, in every duel he goes, the way he reacts with his team-mates, you speak to him it’s constantly eye contact. He’s nudging, he’s asking questions, it’s a special character.
“He can play in three positions basically, as a left back, as a No6, as a No8, he’s very versatile. He adapts, from there he can occupy different spaces.
“He’s very adaptable, that’s the good thing about Myles - he’s very intelligent, very thorough. He has some unbelievable questions every time you ask him to do something, and he has the competitive edge which I think is demanded at this level. And he really wants it, so we are going to use him in different positions.”
After making his debut, Lewis-Skelly will hope to make his first start for Arsenal in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third round tie with Bolton.
Ethan Nwaneri is in the same boat and Arteta says both players are pushing for more first-team action.
The teenagers have both come off the bench for Arsenal this season, but they are yet to make their full debuts.
They will hope to against League One side Bolton at Emirates Stadium, especially given Arsenal have a number of fitness concerns.
Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri have been tipped for big things at Arsenal and they impressed on the club’s pre-season tour to the US this summer.
And Arteta has admitted the pair of 17-year-olds are hungry for more after getting a taste of life in the first team.
“Those two are really pushy, really demanding! They want everything! They want more and more information,” he said.
“They love it, you can tell them, they are so passionate about everything. They see the opportunity and want to grab it with both hands. They are great to work with.”
Arteta has previously been criticised for not giving young players a chance but he has shown his faith in Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri this season.
Nwaneri came off the bench in the north London derby earlier this month, while Lewis-Skelly was brought on for his debut at City last weekend.
“I’m very proud of them,” said Arteta. “They are dealing with a situation that probably they didn’t expect.
“They have had the chance to play in two of the most historic and difficult grounds in the Premier League and they both responded really well.”
