Arsenal star tipped to spend some time on the bench after poor Sunderland game

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·14 September 2026

Arsenal star tipped to spend some time on the bench after poor Sunderland game

Myles Lewis-Skelly started his fourth consecutive Premier League game for Arsenal against Sunderland at the weekend, but he could now find himself out of the starting XI for the next match or even longer.

After choosing to stay and fight for his place in the Gunners team this season, Lewis-Skelly began the campaign brilliantly. He impressed against Manchester City in the Community Shield before shining again against Coventry in the Premier League opener.

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Lewis-Skelly struggles against Sunderland

However, since those opening performances, the midfielder has seen his form decline. He has not reached the same level he showed during those first two games, and his difficult afternoon against Sunderland resulted in him being substituted at half-time.

Lewis-Skelly was replaced by Bruno Guimaraes, who made an immediate impact after coming on. The midfielder opened the scoring for Arsenal, helping them secure a 2-0 victory and continue their fine start to the season.

The result maintained Arsenal’s strong beginning to the campaign, but Lewis-Skelly’s individual performance could have consequences for his chances of retaining his starting position. The competition for places remains intense at the Emirates.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Defoe predicts lengthy spell on bench

Lewis-Skelly remains an important player for Arsenal, but there is significant competition for game time at the club. Following his poor showing against Sunderland, the midfielder is now being tipped to spend an extended period on the bench.

Jermain Defoe believes Arsenal’s squad depth gives their manager the luxury of making changes when players are struggling for form. He also suggested that Lewis-Skelly could face a lengthy wait before returning to the starting XI.

Defoe said via Metro Sport: ‘That’s what you want, that luxury as a manager to have that squad and have that quality.

‘If you get an injury, you might not get back in the team. Or if you’re off it a little bit like Myles was in the first-half, you get dragged off and then Bruno comes in and he might not get back in the team now for a couple months.’

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