Gary Lineker has suggested that Arsenal's dramatic improvement in their 3-0 victory over Fulham coincided with Mikel Arteta's decision to rest Martin Zubimendi. The summer signing from Real Sociedad, who cost £51 million, has been a near ever-present at the heart of the Gunners' engine room and formed an effective partnership alongside Declan Rice.
Zubimendi's near-instant adaptation has meant that Myles Lewis-Skelly's chances of playing in his natural midfield position have been blocked. Meanwhile, the arrival of Piero Hincapie has limited his appearances at left-back, where he impressed during his breakthrough campaign. With games coming thick and fast during the run-in, Arteta opted to gamble against Fulham and handed the Hale End Academy graduate a first start in a central role.
Arteta's faith was rewarded with a superb display that helped power Arsenal to a 3-0 win, opening a six-point gap at the top of the table, albeit having played two games more. Whether Arteta will keep Lewis-Skelly in the team for the visit of Atletico Madrid in midweek remains to be seen, but Lineker noticed a fundamental difference the 19-year-old made to Arsenal's attacking threat.
Lineker's Analysis
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: 'I'm going to throw something in here because I think there's a fundamental difference between the Arsenal we've seen in recent weeks. No disrespect to Zubimendi, but he's a cautious player. He's a defensive midfield player and he predominantly knocks it back.'
Lineker continued: 'I thought Myles Lewis-Skelly came in in a midfield position, not a left-back moving into midfield. His first thought is to turn and look forward quickly. I think that really enabled Arsenal to get it forward quicker. It was a bit of a plan; they pushed the wingers higher. Saka was getting the ball in time to take someone on. I think he made a fundamental difference.'
He added: 'It's quite interesting because he's a young player and we've known him as a full-back. But in that midfield area, the way he was so positive and looking forward. Rice is a different player in the sense that he's probably at his best when he's running with the ball, but he's also a player that tends not to look for forward passes particularly quickly. So I think he really helped them.'
Arteta's Admission
After watching the teenager impress against seasoned Premier League opposition, Arteta admitted he may have made an error in holding back a player whose lack of game time has seen him linked with a move to Manchester United. 'He fully deserves it,' said the Arsenal manager. 'I've been tough on him. He had a spectacular season last year when he jumped into the first team. He had some difficult moments after that, but he stayed very humble, very focused, very aligned with what we wanted to do, and I knew he was ready.'
'He's been showing in training every day the opportunities that he had to play. He's done it and today he really stepped up and I thought he had an incredible performance.' When asked why it took so long to give Lewis-Skelly a chance in midfield, Arteta replied: 'Because probably I don't have a clue and maybe I should have done it earlier, I don't know.'
Arsenal's victory over Fulham extends their lead at the top of the Premier League, but with tough fixtures ahead, including a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid, Arteta's team selection will be crucial. Lewis-Skelly's emergence as a midfield option could provide the dynamism needed for the run-in.
