Darren Bent thinks he knows the real reason Myles Lewis-Skelly hasn’t been playing for Arsenal this season

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal’s win over West Ham United on Saturday sent them top of the Premier League for the first time this season, amid Liverpool’s last-minute defeat to Chelsea, and it’s made some stars undroppable.

Only a loss to Arne Slot’s Liverpool side in late August and a last-gasp draw against fellow title contenders Manchester City have ruined Arsenal’s 100 per cent record.

In what has largely been a tough start to the season for Mikel Arteta’s men, they’ve come up trumps when needed. Certain players have had a massive impact on the season, with Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka impressing on Saturday for Arsenal.

But one player who hasn’t quite featured as much as he would’ve liked is youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, who has yet to start in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.

However, former Premier League striker Darren Bent has revealed why he believes the England international isn’t in the reckoning.

• READ MORE: What Bukayo Saka now thinks about Arsenal’s ambitions as new contract talks officially booked

Darren Bent says Myles Lewis-Skelly is being dropped due to Riccardo Calafiori form

The former Tottenham Hotspur star believes that Lewis-Skelly isn’t getting any Premier League minutes, though it’s through no fault of his own.

Instead, he has praised teammate Riccardo Calafiori for keeping the Hale End graduate out of the reckoning with his incredible performances.

So far this season, Myles Lewis-Skelly has failed to feature for more than half an hour in any Premier League game.

Being introduced for the bulk of his minutes in relatively easy home wins over Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, his only meaningful contributions have been seeing out a 1-0 win over Manchester United and being on the field for the final two minutes vs Newcastle United last weekend.

But Bent believes that it isn’t down to his poor form, but instead Calafiori’s excellence, stating that the 19-year-old simply has to bide his time in North London at such a young age. Speaking on talkSPORT, Bent said: “I watched him against Olympiacos. He was brilliant.

“Honestly, for someone who hasn’t played as much, he has been brilliant like for us against Olympiacos because he got his body in the way.”

“He drew fouls, he was comfortable in possession when he stepped into midfield.

“I mean, he is such a talent and the only reason why he’s not playing for Arsenal at the minute is because Calafiori has been incredible. Yeah. So that’s the only reason.”

• READ MORE: Injury expert gives Martin Odegaard return timeline and it’s good news for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta

Myles Lewis-Skelly will get Arsenal minutes throughout the season under Mikel Arteta

Whilst Riccardo Calafiori is playing well, there are plenty of games to go in the season.

Lewis-Skelly has started in two of Arsenal’s games this season, though they have been in cup competitions in 2-0 wins over Olympiacos and Port Vale respectively.

There’s no doubting he has quality. 28 Premier League games, 11 Champions League appearances and various cup outings is still quite a portfolio for a 19-year-old, as well as four England caps with a goal on his debut.

Calafiori has also had injury woes in the past, and if they return to the surface, that will give Lewis-Skelly the impetus to make the first-team shirt his own.

Arsenal are hoping to win some form of silverware this season and Lewis-Skelly will be as important as their starting players with squad depth being key to getting titles over the line.