Lewis-Skelly determined to give Arteta selection headache

Myles Lewis-Skelly insisted that he will do his best to give Mikel Arteta “a choice to make” as he fights for a starting place at Arsenal.

The 19-year-old is yet to start in the Premier League this season, with Riccardo Calafiori beginning the campaign in stellar form, though he has been preferred to the Italian in the other competitions.

Lewis-Skelly has started in each of the Gunners’ last two matches in both the Champions League and EFL Cup, providing an assist in three of four games in those competitions.

Pressure was recently placed on the left-back by England boss Thomas Tuchel, who stated the teenager would need to play more minutes to secure a spot in the Three Lions' squad for next summer's World Cup.

Despite his reduced minutes to start the season, Lewis-Skelly is relishing the chance to compete with his team-mates.

“I'm enjoying it this season. It's a different experience for me, not playing as much at the moment, but I'm enjoying being part of the team,” said Lewis-Skelly.

“It's important to compete for places and I'm a competitive person, so I'm never going to back down. I enjoy the challenge. Being with these boys is a joy.

“The standards are high and everyone wants to play. Because the levels are so much higher this season, places are short, but you've just got to compete.

“At the end of the day, I just want to express myself. Football's what I love and I'll never make excuses if I am playing or not.

"I just want to go out there and express myself. As long as I'm doing that, I'm giving the gaffer a choice to make.”