Arsenal handed Myles Lewis-Skelly boost before FA Cup tie amid fresh injury concerns | OneFootball

Arsenal youngster missed the fifth round win over Mansfield due to suspension

Mikel Arteta has been told that Myles Lewis-Skelly is “ready to go” amid a potential Arsenal injury crisis.

The Gunners’ preparations for both matches have been impacted by a host of withdrawals during the international break, with midfield pair Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi doubtful.

Lewis-Skelly is an option to cover for Rice, Zubimendi and Hincapie, but has not started a game for Arsenal since the fourth round win over Wigan when an injury to Riccardo Calafiori in the warm-up cost him the opportunity to start in midfield.

Lewis-Skelly did, however, play 90 minutes in both games for the England U21s during the international break and Carsley has revealed the youngster is not suffering from rustiness.

"He's shown such a great attitude, and it's really benefited him this week, playing minutes and training at a good level," Carsley said.

"We look at attitude, we look at the desire to play, and he was really enthusiastic about coming to the 21s. He sees that potentially as a route into getting minutes and then potentially going to play for Arsenal and then England.

"He had such a rise so quickly, and this is football. This is what happens. There is lots of ups and downs, but he's responded well to it this camp.

Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed during the international break

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"I think you can train all you want, but there is nothing like match minutes where you are competing against someone and the intensity of it.

"The fact now that he's potentially going back, having played a lot of minutes for England, puts him [in] a strong position where, if he is called upon or gets a chance, he is ready to go.

“He doesn't [now] need one or two games, which you don't get at that level, to bed in."