Myles Lewis-Skelly has been ruled out of tonight’s game. (Image: Getty)
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been ruled out of Arsenal’s game with Dinamo Zagreb with injury. Having impressed since breaking into the first-team, the 18-year-old initially appeared a surprise omission from the squad for the game at the Emirates.
Instead, Oleksandr Zinchenko starts at left-back, with providing cover from the bench.
But after confirming his selection, manager explained that the teenager’s absence was due to a fitness issue.
“Unfortunately, he could not finish the training session yesterday,” he told TNT Sports. “So, he had an injury in the match against Villa and he and wasn’t feeling right.
“So we adapt again, just like we have done all season. But it also means some freshness in the team which I think is important as well.”
The Spaniard also confirmed why had only been named among the substitutes. He said the Italian only managed to train for around 20 minutes on Tuesday after a recent muscle injury.
Mikel Arteta revealed the news before kick-off. (Image: TNT Sports)
It’s another blow for the Gunners who already missing the likes of , William Saliba, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Arteta’s side are already playing their seventh game in January, and go to on Saturday before travelling to Girona for their final Champions League game five days later.
But with his side on the brink of the last-16 of Europe’s elite competition, Arteta insited his squad were relishing the challenge. “Yeah there’s a lot games, but we’re very excited,” he said.
“Because this is the moment now that the group stages are going to be decided and we are in a very strong position. And that’s because of what we’ve done in the last two months.”
Overall, Arteta made four changes to the starting line-up from Saturday’s draw with Villa. As well as Zinchenko coming into the back four, Jakub Kiwior was also named in the XI with Saliba ruled out.
Jorginho and have also been picked, with Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey dropping to the bench. Ethan Nwaneri was also named in the replacements after his recent lay-off.