England legend, Rio Ferdinand, has expressed his shock over Mikel Arteta’s decision to drop Myles Lewis-Skelly to the bench.
Lewis-Skelly caught the eye when he made his Arsenal debut last September, ending the season as one of the club’s most important players.
The fearless teenager can play as a left-back or in midfield and it was in both positions he helped the Gunners challenge for the title and play in the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Some football pundits such as Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville even had to pick the England youngster as their Young Player of the Season following his outstanding performance at Arsenal.
However, Lewis-Skelly is yet to start any of Arsenal’s six league games as Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta prefers Riccardo Calafiori in the left-back position.
Ferdinand said he ‘cannot believe’ the young talent is struggling for game-time at Arsenal.
“Do you know the thing I find mad about Arsenal?” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “What’s Lewis-Skelly done? What he’s done?
“He came on [as an 88th-minute substitute] late [in the 2-1 win over Newcastle United]. Listen, the replacement is an Italian international [Calafiori] and a good player, don’t get me wrong. I like him.
“But sometimes you have to do something wrong to get out of the team, surely? Or has Lewis-Skelly just played a lot of football as a young kid so they’re giving him a breather? I would love to know what’s happened,” he said.
Asked if Calafiori was a more ‘complete player’ than Lewis-Skelly at this early stage of his career, Ferdinand added: ‘No way. No way.
“Lewis-Skelly is better on the ball in midfield and I didn’t see him get beat defensively last season except when he got a couple of red cards.
“I watched him in big games last season and he looked so unfazed, it was a joke. I can’t believe he’s not in the team.
“It’s probably because Calafiori is bigger and better defensively in the air. But Lewis-Skelly can defend too but also looks great on the ball.”
Lewis-Skelly made a late cameo in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.