Myles Lewis-Skelly looks to be a rare talent for Arsenal after fearless breakthrough under Mikel Arteta – The Radar | Football news
Welcome to Radarthe Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a mix of data and opinion to illuminate the need-to-know stories from the top and bottom of the Premier League. This week:
🔴 The birth of a new star in Arsenal?
🔥 Savinho usurps De Bruyne in Man City?
🔍 Player to watch this weekend
Lewis-Skelly’s brilliant breakthrough
The tension was high at the Emirates Stadium in the closing stages Arsenal win over Tottenham on Wednesday, but Myles Lewis-Skelly wasn’t feeling it. Even after the commotion that preceded his withdrawal, and with a few minutes left to play, the coolest player on the field could be seen smiling as he left it.
It was a real spectacle. As Arsenal prepared to defend a Spurs corner, Lewis-Skelly, their youngest player to start the north London Premier League derby since Cesc Fabregas in 2005, raised his arms to the crowd, relishing the occasion.
Maybe he knew it was done. However, he is wired differently. “It’s like it was made in a lab,” Declan Rice said recently. That might be the best explanation for how this academy midfielder-turned-left-back can look so serenely comfortable so early in his senior career.
As recently as a month ago, he started just one first-team game, the Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers in October. Now, he looks like Arsenal’s best option in a position where they are stacked with experienced alternatives. An invitation to England is certainly beckoning.
His performance against Spurs, watched by Thomas Tuchel, was just the latest in which he displayed outstanding technical skill and composure. Incredibly, he has the highest pass accuracy rate in the Premier League this season at 96.1 percent.
That list is dominated by central defenders, who usually have more time to choose their passes. Lewis-Skelly, in contrast, often operates in midfield, where he is hounded and harassed by opponents. They quickly discover that you are pressing him on your responsibility.
He doesn’t play easy either. With just his second touch against Spurs, he could be seen driving towards the box and teeing up Raheem Sterling on goal. He excels at getting the ball through the lines and relishes the opportunity to join attacks.
However, the most impressive thing is that he shows adequate defensive qualities. On Wednesday night, Lewis-Skelly took on Dejan Kulusevski in the first half and Brennan Johnson in the second, but didn’t get past the dribble once. In fact, according to Opta, he has yet to dribble in the Premier League this season.
His strength in duels stands out. As well as passing accuracy, Lewis-Skelly ranks first among Premier League players in duel success this season with 72.2 per cent, putting him ahead of some notable names such as Ibrahima Konata, Ezri Konsa, Virgil van Dijk and John Stones .
The meeting with Spurs was not the first in which he showed that he can handle himself physically. In last month’s win over Ipswich, a number of players, including Liam Delap and Kalvin Phillips, could be seen trying to shake him to no avail. “I’m never afraid of anybody,” he shrugged in a television interview with Ian Wright.
It’s still early, of course. Lewis-Skelly played just 332 minutes in the Premier League. But from the moment he joined the team, it was clear that he was ready to step up. And it is clear now, a month later, with Arsenal’s title hopes revived, that he is here to stay.
Savinho becomes Haaland’s main supplier
Manchester City are taking big steps towards revamping their attack. Erling Haaland’s extraordinary contract for nine and a half years this will be followed by the arrival of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. Savinho is also in line for a big role.
Pep Guardiola’s excitement over the Brazil international has been evident since his first appearance, in the Community Shield win over Manchester United in August. “I think when he plays on the left, he will help Erling score goals,” Guardiola told reporters afterwards.
His prediction about helping Haaland turned out to be correct. Savinho has overtaken Kevin De Bruyne as his main provider this season, providing him with four goals in the Premier League. That’s the second-highest total between two players in the division.
However, it was only recently, after starting the season playing mostly on the right, that Savinho’s assists started coming from the left. Three came from that side in wins over Leicester and West Ham. From the same position, he also played a key role in both of Phil Foden’s goals in the draw with Brentford.
Guardiola raved about Savinho’s ability to “attack the line” as an “old-fashioned winger” when he played on the left back in August. It’s surprising that it took him this long to use it consistently there. But Savinho offered creativity on both flanks.
While his total of five assists seems modest, the underlying data highlights the quality of the chances he creates. His average of 0.37 expected assists per 90 minutes is the highest of any Premier League player this season – including De Bruyne.
These numbers reflect the statistical probability of chances leading to goals. Given that actual assists rely on the finishing of other players, they are worth paying attention to when measuring the true quality of a player’s creative output.
We are told, in no uncertain terms, that Savinho is already doing his part. Manchester City will be hoping that its relationship with newly signed Haaland continues to bear fruit for years to come.
Player Radar: Who else to watch out for
Signing a contract with Chelsea Pedro Neto rated as one of the most high-profile deals of the summer, but six months on, the winger faces former club Wolves Monday Night Football he scored only one goal and registered two assists in the Premier League. Could he give his Stamford Bridge career a boost against his old side?
Live Radar: What’s on Sky this weekend?
Arsenal host Aston Villa for Saturday night football fixture, with coverage starting from Sky Sports Premier League and The main event from 5 p.m. before the start at 5:30 p.m.
Great Sunday look Everton and Tottenham face off in an early game, which starts at 2:00 p.m., s Ipswich taking over Manchester City in a later start at 4:30 p.m. Coverage of that doubleheader begins at Sky Sports Premier League and The main event at 1 p.m.
On Monday Night Footballjoin David Jones and Jamie Carragher as Chelsea hosted by Vitor Pereira Wolvesstarting at 8 p.m.
Read the latest Radar column
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