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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may make several changes after taking a commanding 7-1 lead in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 match against PSV Eindhoven.
Mike Arteta faces a significant decision as Arsenal prepares for their Champions League second-leg clash against PSV Eindhoven, with calls to rest young stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. After a 7-1 victory in the first leg, Arsenal holds a strong lead, shifting the focus to squad management for the return game at the Emirates Stadium. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown suggests the teenage duo could benefit from a break, while concerns over Lewis-Skelly’s discipline have sparked speculation about Arteta’s lineup choices.
Arsenal’s historic 7-1 win over PSV marked the first time a team scored seven goals away from home in a Champions League knockout match. The Gunners demonstrated their attacking power and squad depth, with standout performances from 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. Nwaneri scored a goal and provided an assist, while Lewis-Skelly, playing at left-back, played a key role in the build-up to the second goal before being substituted early due to disciplinary issues.
The second leg offers Arteta an opportunity to rotate his squad. However, dropping Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly is complicated by their quick rise to prominence amid injuries to senior players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. Both youngsters have become vital players for Arsenal, but their workloads and readiness for top-level football are now under scrutiny.
Martin Keown, a revered figure in Arsenal’s history, has emerged as a key voice urging Arteta to rest Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly. In a statement quoted by MirrorFootball, Keown remarked, “They probably could both do with a bit of a rest.” His concern centers on the physical and mental demands placed on the teenagers, who have been thrust into high-stakes matches at a tender age. Nwaneri has already featured in multiple Premier League and Champions League games, while Lewis-Skelly has adapted to an unfamiliar left-back role with impressive regularity.
While Nwaneri’s performances have been nearly flawless, Myles Lewis-Skelly’s temperament raises concerns, adding a “mentality claim” to the discussion. During the first leg against PSV, Lewis-Skelly narrowly escaped a second yellow card after a reckless challenge on Richard Ledezma. Arteta substituted him before halftime to avoid a potential red card. This incident is part of a pattern: Lewis-Skelly has been sent off twice this season, though one dismissal was later overturned.
Post-match, Arteta addressed Lewis-Skelly’s conduct, emphasizing the importance of discipline in elite competition. Lewis-Skelly’s aggressive approach has endeared him to fans but also put Arsenal at risk, particularly with depleted defensive options due to injuries. Resting him for the second leg could serve as both a tactical safeguard and a developmental reset, allowing Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed as a substitute, to shine.
Despite calls for rest, there are strong reasons to keep Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly in the lineup. Both players have thrived under pressure, injecting energy and fearlessness into Arsenal’s challenging season. Nwaneri’s goal against PSV made him the third-youngest scorer in Champions League knockout history, drawing comparisons to Jack Wilshere for his technical skill and composure. Lewis-Skelly has adapted well to left-back, showcasing versatility and tenacity.
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