Thierry Henry urges Mikel Arteta to start Arsenal star against Atletico Madrid: ‘Outstanding’ | Football

Thierry Henry said he would put faith in Myles Lewis-Skelly for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid after his performance against Fulham.

Lewis-Skelly was afforded a first ever-start in his preferred central midfield role as Mikel Arteta rung the changes against Fulham at the weekend.

And the teenager rewarded his manager’s faith with an all-action display in the middle of the pitch to help his side claim a vital 3-0 home win.

Martin Zubimendi, who was the man replaced by Lewis-Skelly, has shown signs of fatigue in the last few weeks after a gruelling campaign, which has seen the Spaniard already make 52 club appearances in all competitions.

And analysing Arsenal’s win over Fulham, Henry was quick to highlight the added intensity and physicality that Lewis-Skelly brought to the Gunners’ midfield.

‘Miles was just different,’ the former Arsenal striker told Sky Sports on Monday.

‘I didn’t see Zubimendi do that often – the legs, anticipation, stopping someone, boom, making someone feel that you that you are there; he was there all the time.’

Zubimendi will still be expected to return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, as Arsenal bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.

And while adamant that the Spaniard would bring more ‘security’, Henry said he would lean towards giving Lewis-Skelly another chance to impress from the start.

‘Because of the magnitude of the game, he’s going to think to be a bit more secure,’ Henry said. ‘But Lewis-Skelly showed that that might be a new position for him in terms of next season.

‘He did extremely well. I wouldn’t mind if he starts him but then I can understand because of the magnitude of the game and how Zubimndi plays, sometimes you need to be a tiny bit more secure. We will see. But in this game, he was brave.’

Henry continued: ‘It’s one thing to be patient. It’s one thing to maybe be upset about the situation. But he was ready.

‘He didn’t look like he didn’t play for a very long time. He controlled the game. He went forward. He buzzed the game at times. That’s outstanding.

‘Do not underestimate experience in this type of game. But would I like to see him on Tuesday or tomorrow, obviously? Yes. Why not?’

Earlier on Tuesday, Arteta confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are back available for selection, but Jurrien Timber remains out with injury.

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