Mikel Arteta has revealed he is considering starting Arsenal wonderkids Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly against Liverpool.
The Gunners host the Reds in a key clash in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
Arsenal are looking to make amends for their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth last Sunday and began that process with a 1-0 win at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Lewis-Skelly came off the bench replace the injured Riccardo Calafiori in that match and looked composed with a 100% pass rate and 15 touches in 18 minutes.
Nwaneri was an unused substitute against Shakhtar but already has four appearances and two goals to his name for the Gunners this season.
Mikel Arteta could show faith in Arsenal youth vs Liverpool
Arsenal’s clash with a rampant Liverpool side could not have come at a worse time.
Arteta is currently dealing with injuries to Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, while William Saliba is suspended. Also, Calafiori is now a major doubt alongside Jurrien Timber.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see Arteta asking if Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly could have a surprise start against Arne Slot’s side.
The Spaniard would have no problem using his young talents in such a big game if necessary.
“They are there. They are in dispute,” said Arteta (via Football. London). “They always give us the option and the possibility to start the game. Myles came the other night and he did really well. Ethan the same. They are first team players. They are with us and we treat them and value them in the same way as any other player.”
Asked if Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly could be “fearless” options given their youth, Arteta continued: “Yes, for sure, that’s one thing, they don’t feel a lot, especially those two, and that’s really positive
“It also brings the crowd together, creates energy in the team, that’s a very good thing. It’s about pitching them at the best time with the right players around them, which is also very important.”
