EXCLUSIVE: Mikel Arteta’s key tactical change in recent weeks has been lauded by an Arsenal legend for transforming the team after being ‘not exciting or effective’
Mikel Arteta’s decision to deploy Myles Lewis-Skelly back into the midfield has been lauded by Gunners Invincible Jeremie Aliadiere.
Arsenal head to west London on Sunday knowing they must beat relegation-threatened West Ham to keep their points advantage at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester City brushed aside Brentford 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners are just three games away from winning their first league title in over two decades and also booked a Champions League final spot after beating Atletico Madrid in the semi-final. Having won just once in five games in mid to late April, fears were creeping in that Arsenal could blow their trophy hunt.
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However, Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Fulham set them back on course before beating Atletico at the Emirates in the second leg just days later. Both wins saw the return of Lewis-Skelly into the midfield as one of the brightest sparks.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via William Hill and their Premier League title odds, Aliadiere said Arteta needs to continue to keep faith in the 19-year-old, with him key to beating West Ham.
Aliadiere said: “I’ve loved seeing Myles Lewis-Skelly back in midfield. I think he’s been sensational those past two games, and he’s been a big part of what Viktor Gyokeres has done as well.
“We’ve started seeing him performing. Myles wants to play forward quickly, so he gives time to Gyokeres to make runs and to bully defenders.”
Adding on how Arsenal should approach the West Ham trip, Aliadiere said: “I think they’ve got to go the same way they’ve played their last two games, go and play forward quickly. Go and hurt teams in counterattack in transition.
“I think the Arsenal of the last few weeks have been quite defensive, playing possession and then it was always a bit of a chess game and not very exciting to watch, but also not very effective.
“I just felt that Fulham game, how quick we were, feeding Gyokeres in space, feeding Saka on the flank with Trossard, Martinelli when he’s on. You give them such an advantage when you give them the ball quickly because they’re one vs one with defenders, so they can hurt them, they can really do what they’re good at.
“When you keep the ball at the back, just keep passing sideways, you just give the opposition time to get back into shape, and then suddenly it’s getting tougher. I think for me Arteta just has to play exactly the same way.”