Football
Nigel Winterburn exclusively to William Hill: “Arsenal will be underdogs in the quarter finals”
Nigel Winterburn talks exclusively to William Hill
Former Arsenal and England defender Nigel Winterburn talks exclusively to William Hill about Arsenal’s season so far and the young talent coming through from the academy including Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri. Nigel also talks about Arsenal’s title challenge and also the Champions League chances with a striker issue for the Club.
Is PSV result enough to prove Arteta can get by without an elite striker – or does it just paper over the cracks?
Injuries have hit Arsenal this season and made it adverse for them to compete for the title. There is no doubt they will sign a striker in the summer but who it is I am not sure.
The striker needs to fit in with the style of Arsenal and want to join them. Isak may be out of their prize range, but others such as Sesko, could be the missing link Arsenal need.
The PSC result was sensational, the energy during the game was great, the movement caused so many problems for the opposition, players breaking the lines and wanting to get forward.
It was a more dynamic display that versus the two previous league games v West Ham & Nottingham Forst.
As it stands Arsenal don’t have a fit striker, so ultimately, we just need to get on with it and the players who are fit, go out, give your best to be successful.
Providing no more injuries, Arsenal have shown they can compete on the biggest stage and can look forward being in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Can Arsenal win the Champions League? How will they far against either Madrid side? –
Arsenal will be underdogs in the quarter finals of the champions League teams, they will come up against one of the two forces of European football in Real Madrid, who are serial winners of this competition.
Or Atletico Madrid, who are consistently in the running for La Liga and a top European team.
Real Madrid boasts so many attacking flair players, they will come at Arsenal, which can leave gaps at the back for Arsenal to exploit. With our good set pieces, we can be a big threat from these as well as in open play.
Arsenal has top defenders, world class defenders, so they have no need to fear Madrid.
Atletico boast Griezmann and Alvarez, who are top quality players. Under Simeone, they are physical and workman like, so this would be a battle for Arsenal.
With our strong players such as Partey and Rice, we can match them in midfield. I wouldn’t see too many goals in these ties, but we have the quality to qualify.
Arsenal has the quality throughout the squad to compete well against either side and Mikel will have to set up a brilliant game plan.
If Arsenal can attack like they did against PSV, getting players forward, then they can compete with any team left in the competition.
We await to see whether Saka and or Martinelli can return for either leg of the ¼ finals, but they will be a big boost to the team.
The players can rise to the occasion, and it will be great to see either Madrid team come to Emirates and with the way the home crowd has been, Arsenal will have strong backing to take a first leg lead.
So, we support Arsenal all the way, we are still in the competition, so if you’re in it, you can win it, so let’s enjoy the ride, hope for some luck and see how far Arsenal can go.
What have you made of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rapid breakthrough into the Arsenal first team?
Myles has done really well this season and you can see how well he has done by making the left back spot his own with his strong performances. He has kept new signing Calafiori out the team at times, so this shows
how much Mikel trusts him to do a good job for the team. But, he can’t rest on his laurels, he must continue to work hard every day in training, listen to senior pros and show consistency with every performance. But overall, what a bright future he has and I am very pleased for Myles Lewis-Skelly.
As a fellow defender, what attributes have you spotted that he has in particular, and how useful can they be in the future?
Well, he played centre midfield in the academy and is an excellent ball carrier. He understands the game well so can adapt to playing full back, which is where he has played in the first team.
Attributes wise, he uses his body really well, he has good pace, has an eye for a good forward pass, can defend well (as shown versus Leciester when stopping a goal in the second half).
Myles also works well as an inverted full back and can receive a ball well too.
What have you made of the academy prospects (Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly) stepping up for the club in a difficult period – making more of an impact than some senior players?
Nigel: They have no fear. At that age, it’s important to play with freedom and do everything you have learnt in your journey through the Academy.
They have started their first team journey really well, but must continue to believe in their ability and work hard.
With the striker injury situation and a couple of tough results, they have continued to be fearless in their game and perform well.
Do you think Thomas Tuchel should call up Lewis-Skelly for the next England camp?
Nigel: It’s a big call as maybe the U21’s in the right move for him. But in the future Myles Lewis-Skelly can have a big England career and look forward to a debut very soon.
He has to keep his feet on the ground, work hard, listen to Mikel and the other coaches and he can be another good English full back to come through Arsenal’s ranks,
There has been talk about his discipline, or naivety in some decisions – do you think that comes with experience as an 18-year-old or something that Mikel Arteta needs to drill into him?
Yes, it comes with experience and Myles will have to listen to Mikel and the other coaches when it comes to tackling and also once he has a yellow card, how to go about your game for the remainder of it, to ensure you don’t get sent off.
The other players have a responsibility to help Myles through this as well, but for him it’s a case of being responsible on the pitch.
