Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opens up on 'exceptional' Myles Lewis-Skelly's difficult season

Mikel Arteta admitted he'd gone through a process of 'understanding him better' -Credit:Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Arteta concedes that Lewis-Skelly was inevitably going to encounter a dose of reality at some stage, while the player needed to comprehend what was expected of him during periods on the sidelines.

He said: "I think it's been a process of, probably understanding him better, him understanding as well the standards that are required when you play or don't play that much at this level, to understand the reasons why you play or don't play as well, and then he's been exceptional.

"His attitude, the way he's been trained, the way he's been supporting the boys when he hasn't played, and he's given us every sign to think that when we were going to give him the chance he was going to respond in the manner that he's done it.

"But after he's done it, and it's not easy, especially when you haven't played that much, to look that confident, that energetic, that playing with that determination, it's something that is surprising."

Lewis-Skelly had secured an England call-up and was being touted for a place in this summer's World Cup squad, but he's since dropped out of the reckoning, partly due to his limited playing time.

Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel publicly stated that the Arsenal player would miss out on the tournament without more consistent game time.

The 19-year-old has spent most of the season behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori. His ability to operate in midfield provides options, but with fierce competition in that position as well, the academy product could face a difficult choice. Rivals Manchester United have been linked with a potential move for Lewis-Skelly.

While Arsenal's squad depth has earned plaudits, fellow academy prospect Ethan Nwaneri had to seek a loan move in January and might need to look elsewhere permanently if he wishes to play on a consistent basis.