Myles Lewis-Skelly Names Mikel Merino as Arsenal’s Most Underrated Player
Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly believes Mikel Merino is one of the most underappreciated members of the squad, pointing to the midfielder’s football intelligence and influence as qualities that can be missed when he is not regularly in the starting lineup.
Merino’s role at Arsenal has attracted less attention than that of some of the club’s more prominent players, particularly during periods when his opportunities have been limited. But Lewis-Skelly’s assessment offers a reminder that a player’s value is not always measured by minutes on the pitch or headlines after a match. Experience, tactical awareness and the ability to understand what a team needs can matter just as much.
Why Lewis-Skelly Rates Merino So Highly
Lewis-Skelly’s praise is notable because it comes from a young player developing within Arsenal’s first-team environment. He has the opportunity to see how teammates prepare, communicate and respond to different situations up close. His view of Merino is therefore based not only on what supporters see during matches, but also on the qualities that help a squad function from day to day.
Calling Merino underrated suggests that his contribution may not always receive the recognition it deserves. Midfielders can influence a game without producing a spectacular goal or assist. They may help a side keep its shape, choose the right moment to press, protect space in front of the defence or move the ball into a more useful area. These details are easy to overlook, but they can shape the rhythm and balance of a team.
Football intelligence is especially valuable in a demanding Premier League campaign. Matches often turn on small decisions: whether to hold position or step forward, when to speed up an attack, and how to respond when an opponent changes its approach. Players who read those moments well can give their teammates greater confidence and help a team remain organised under pressure.
Limited Starts Do Not Tell the Whole Story
Merino has not been a regular starter under Mikel Arteta in recent weeks, a situation that can make it difficult for any player to build momentum or attract public attention. Yet squad importance is broader than selection in one particular match. A team competing across multiple competitions needs dependable options, and the demands of a long season mean that depth can become decisive.
Rotation is often part of a manager’s plan rather than a simple verdict on a player’s ability. Coaches have to consider fitness, the opponent, tactical matchups and the schedule when choosing a starting team. A midfielder who begins on the bench may still be asked to change the pace of a game, help protect a lead or provide control when a match becomes stretched.
For Arsenal, having experienced alternatives in midfield can be particularly useful as the club balances domestic fixtures with its ambitions in other competitions. Injuries, suspensions and changes in form can quickly alter a team’s needs. Merino’s experience gives Arteta another option when the demands of a match call for composure, discipline or a different tactical profile.
Experience and Tactical Flexibility at Arsenal
Merino arrived at Arsenal with experience of high-level football and a reputation as a midfielder capable of contributing in several ways. His value is not necessarily tied to one fixed role. Depending on the game plan, he can offer physical presence, support in possession and an understanding of how to connect different areas of the pitch.
That adaptability can be important in matches where Arsenal face a compact defence or an opponent looking to disrupt the flow of the game. A team may need to circulate the ball patiently, win second balls or find space between the lines. The best response is not always a more attacking substitution; sometimes it is a player who can help the side make better decisions and maintain control.
Merino’s experience may also benefit younger players such as Lewis-Skelly. Developing footballers often learn as much from observing experienced teammates as they do from formal coaching. The way a senior professional handles competition for places, prepares for a match and reacts to setbacks can set a useful example within the dressing room.
What Merino Could Offer in the Months Ahead
Lewis-Skelly’s comments do not guarantee that Merino will immediately return to a regular starting role, and any prediction about Arsenal’s midfield selection will depend on form, fitness and the opposition. However, the praise highlights why squad members can remain important even when their playing time fluctuates. A strong season is rarely built by the same eleven players alone.
As fixtures accumulate, Arsenal may need different qualities from one game to the next. Against teams that press aggressively, calm decision-making and secure passing can help the Gunners escape pressure. In more physical contests, strength and positional awareness may become more important. Merino’s ability to offer a blend of experience and tactical understanding could give Arteta flexibility in those situations.
His challenge will be to make the most of the opportunities that come his way. For players outside the regular starting group, short appearances can carry significant weight: a well-timed interception, a composed spell in possession or a smart movement into space can influence a tight match. Consistency in those moments can help turn a supporting role into a more prominent one.
A Reminder That Arsenal’s Contributions Go Beyond the Spotlight
Lewis-Skelly’s endorsement puts attention on a side of football that is not always reflected in statistics. Goals and assists are easy to count, while awareness, communication and positional discipline are harder to capture. Yet those less visible skills can help create the conditions for teammates to perform and allow a team to stay balanced across a full match.
For Arsenal supporters, the comments provide an encouraging glimpse into how players view one another inside the squad. Merino may not currently be among the team’s most frequent starters, but Lewis-Skelly believes his intelligence deserves greater recognition. If Arsenal’s campaign reaches a decisive stage, that experience and understanding could prove valuable—whether Merino starts, comes off the bench or helps guide younger teammates behind the scenes.
