{"id":17033,"date":"2026-05-05T05:20:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T05:20:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/17033\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T05:20:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T05:20:18","slug":"thierry-henry-urges-mikel-arteta-to-start-arsenal-star-against-atletico-madrid-outstanding-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/17033\/","title":{"rendered":"Thierry Henry urges Mikel Arteta to start Arsenal star against Atletico Madrid: ‘Outstanding’ | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tFormer Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Thierry Henry<\/a> said he would put faith in Myles Lewis-Skelly<\/a> for Arsenal<\/a>\u2019s Champions League<\/a> semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid<\/a> after his performance against Fulham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

And the teenager rewarded his manager\u2019s faith with an all-action display\u00a0in the middle of the pitch to help his side claim a vital 3-0 home win.<\/p>\n

Martin Zubimendi<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

And analysing Arsenal\u2019s win over Fulham, Henry was quick to highlight the added intensity and physicality that Lewis-Skelly brought to the Gunners\u2019 midfield.<\/p>\n

\u2018Miles was just different,\u2019 the former Arsenal striker told Sky Sports on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u2018I didn\u2019t see Zubimendi do that often \u2013 the legs, anticipation, stopping someone, boom, making someone feel that you that you are there; he was there all the time.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Arsenal
\n\t\tMyles Lewis-Skelly impressed against Fulham on Saturday (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

And while adamant that the Spaniard would bring more \u2018security\u2019, Henry said he would lean towards giving Lewis-Skelly another chance to impress from the start.<\/p>\n

\u2018Because of the magnitude of the game, he\u2019s going to think to be a bit more secure,\u2019 Henry said. \u2018But Lewis-Skelly showed that that might be a new position for him in terms of next season.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Atletico
\n\t\tMikel Arteta is bidding to guide Arsenal to their first Champions League final since 2006 (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018He did extremely well. I wouldn\u2019t 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.\u2019<\/p>\n

Henry continued: \u2018It\u2019s one thing to be patient. It\u2019s one thing to maybe be upset about the situation. But he was ready.<\/p>\n

\u2018He didn\u2019t look like he didn\u2019t play for a very long time. He controlled the game. He went forward. He buzzed the game at times. That\u2019s outstanding. <\/p>\n

\u2018Do not underestimate experience in this type of game. But would I like to see him on Tuesday or tomorrow, obviously? Yes. Why not?\u2019<\/p>\n

Earlier on Tuesday, Arteta confirmed that Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are back available for selection<\/a>, but Jurrien Timber remains out with injury.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tShould Myles Lewis-Skelly start against Atletico Madrid?<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Atletico Madrid drop Julian Alvarez injury hint ahead of Arsenal showdown<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Jamie Carragher makes Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid prediction for Champions League semi-final<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Gary Lineker claims Arsenal improved without \u2018cautious\u2019 \u00a351million star<\/a><\/p>\n


\n\t\t\tComment now<\/p>\n

\t\t\tComments
\n\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source
\n\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t