Thierry Henry says Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future lies in midfield, so should he start ahead of Martin Zubimendi against Atletico Madrid? | Soccer News

Thierry Henry said Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future lies in midfield after his “outstanding” performance against Fulham put him in contention to start the Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

Making his first senior start in his natural midfield, and only his third Premier League start of the season, the 19-year-old featured prominently in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over the Cottagers.

Lewis-Skelly has slipped behind Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie in Mikel Arteta’s left-back pecking order this season, but Henry was impressed by his all-round performance in his new role on Saturday.

“Like everyone else I thought Declan Rice was outstanding again, but Myles was just different,” said Henry Monday night football.

“He wasn’t just good on the ball, he was good at reading the play, stopping, going to get it. He played very well.

“It’s one thing to be patient, it’s one thing to be upset about the situation, but he was ready.

“He didn’t look like he hadn’t played in a long time.

“He controlled the game, he went forward. He dominated the game at times. That’s outstanding.”

Lewis-Skelly’s performance led to some calling for him to keep his place over Martin Zubimendi in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.

Zubimendi’s form was broken in the second half of the season, with the Spain international seemingly tired after playing more minutes than any other Arsenal player.

Henry is intrigued to see where Arteta will go. “Because of the magnitude of the game, I don’t know if he’s going to go a little bit safer, but this guy has shown that it might be a new position for him, in terms of next season.

“He did excellent. I wouldn’t mind if he starts him, but then I understand, because of the magnitude of the game, and how Zubimendi sometimes plays, a little bit safer.

“Don’t underestimate experience in these kinds of games. But would I like to see him on Tuesday? Yeah, why not?

“But Mikel Arteta is the coach.”

Carra: Arsenal should replace Rice at no. 6 to keep

Jamie Carragher was impressed by the performance of Lewis-Skelly’s midfield partner Rice against Fulham and feels the 27-year-old will end the season in the No. 6 position must look out.

Rice has been moved to the base of Arsenal’s midfield in their last two games and followed up a dominant display in Madrid on Saturday with another assured performance.

“Myles Lewis-Skelly has been fantastic but I think a big thing for me in Arsenal’s last two games has been that Declan Rice has gone deeper,” Carragher added. Monday night football.

“There’s a little bit more dynamism with Rice rather than Zubimendi in that position. He’s quicker on things and passes it quicker, he’s sharper.

“I think he’s a complete midfielder. He can play the six and the eight. It doesn’t make too much of a difference.

“But when I saw him play, it almost looked like he was really enjoying it and running everywhere for the ball.

“It was almost like, ‘I’m back in my position, in the six. I can get on the ball a little easier.’

“I thought he was outstanding at the weekend. I thought he played really well and controlled the game against Madrid as well.

“I think going forward, even if Zubimendi plays, leave him there for the time being at six o’clock.”

Carragher feels Arteta’s midfield adjustments have helped Arsenal in the wake of their 2-1 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

“I saw improvements in midweek away from home. They handled it well against Atletico Madrid. There was a 20-minute game that was difficult, but I’ve played in semi-finals away from home and they’re tough.

“I thought it was a step forward, in the performance as well as the result.

“Against Fulham it felt like the energy was back, it didn’t feel like they were under stress.

“One thing I’ve felt with Arsenal lately is that they seemed to be tired.

“I think he had to do something in midfield, it’s just whether he sticks to it.

“And maybe Zubimendi just needed a break and he’s coming back refreshed. But I was really worried about Arsenal’s central midfield.”

Henry: It’s the Saka I want to see

Bukayo Saka also received praise from the Monday night football side who scored one goal and set up another on their first start since the Carabao Cup final against Fulham.

Henry felt the England international was initially too hesitant to try and beat his man during the game, but reaped his rewards for being brave as the afternoon progressed.

After beating Raul Jimenez to set up Viktor Gyokeres for the opening goal, Saka buried the second himself to raise hopes of a strong finish to a difficult campaign.

“That’s what I wanted to see from Bukayo,” says Henry. “This is what we need to see from Bukayo against Atletico, until the end of the season, and next year.

“Go back to what you were. Dribble, go forward, be brave.

“You defend as a unit. Offensively, in the final third it’s about you, what you’re going to do, your brain and your creativity.

“I can’t tell you when to shoot someone or be stupid. It comes naturally. But be brave about it. Teacher, go again.”