Arsenal legend Lee Dixon says he ‘would swap’ Myles Lewis-Skelly for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford were the opportunity to present itself this summer.
Lewis-Skelly broke out of Arsenal’s academy ranks to establish himself as a genuine first-team star two years ago, making 23 top-flight appearances across an outstanding debut season with his boyhood team.
And while Lewis-Skelly got his hands on the Premier League trophy at the end of the club’s title-winning season last term, it proved a much trickier campaign for the 19-year-old from a personal perspective.
The versatile teenager, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, fell out of favour as Riccardo Calafiori nailed down his spot at Mikel Arteta’s first-choice left-back with a series of excellent performances.
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There was a resurgence from Lewis-Skelly towards the back-end of the season, though, and he became the second-youngest player – after Trent Alexander-Arnold – to start a Champions League final in May, albeit in defeat.
But with Arsenal adding further strength to their midfield in the shape of £75million arrival Bruno Guimaraes, it appears Lewis-Skelly’s path to regular first-team minutes could be further blocked heading into the new campaign.
Manchester United have been keeping close tabs on the situation and are reportedly plotting an offer with a view to prising Lewis-Skelly away from the Emirates before the summer transfer deadline.
While the Gunners are believed to have ruled out the possibility of Lewis Skelly leaving, Dixon could see the sense in sanctioning a move – especially if a player such as Rashford is thrown into the mix as a makeweight in any potential deal.
‘Would I swap them? You know what, I probably would,’ the ex-Arsenal and England full-back told BestBettingSites.
‘That’s nothing against Myles Lewis-Skelly; it’s about giving him the freedom to go and expand his game elsewhere.
‘With Marcus Rashford, he’s a player who needs an arm around his shoulder, and Arteta would be great for him.
‘Give him that love, give him the freedom to play on that left side, and yeah, I’d like to see him in an Arsenal shirt.’
Though Dixon has some ‘reservations’ about signing Rashford, he feels Arteta may be a little short of options in attack following Leandro Trossard’s recent departure for Besiktas.
‘I have my reservations about whether he’s consistently a top-class player,’ he added,
‘But based on what Arsenal have in the squad now, he’d be a good addition.’
United have been eyeing a move for Lewis-Skelly this summer as they look to bring in a left-back to provide support and competition for Luke Shaw.
Lewis Hall is understood to be at the top of United’s wishlist of targets, but Newcastle have been insistent that the 21-year-old England international is not for sale.
Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson have also been linked with the Red Devils in recent weeks.
But speaking to Casinolyze, ex-United defender Phil Bardsley urged his former club not to give up hope of capturing Hall without a fight.
‘Luke Shaw has looked sharp in pre-season but with his injury record you always worry,’ Bardsley said.
‘I don’t think you can always rely on him for a full season, especially when United are back in the Champions League, because of the amount of games they’ll have to play.
‘Lewis Hall from Newcastle United would be the perfect fit. It’s just a question of getting him out of Newcastle United this summer when they’ve already sold so many players and lost Eddie Howe.
‘He’s a Premier League proven player though and a great age. I think the way he plays suits Manchester United to a tee.’
Bardsley is confident Hall would prove a far more suitable addition that Lewis-Skelly, despite the latter’s obvious ‘qualities’.
‘I prefer Lewis Hall to Myles Lewis-Skelly when you look at what Manchester United need this summer. Hall is better suited to playing left-back,’ he added.
‘I think if you look at Lewis-Skelly, he’s a much better player when you play him in midfield, and I don’t think United need another young player going into the middle of the park.
‘They need a proven defensive midfielder who’s got that experience to come in and own that position.
‘Listen, he’s a quality player. There’s no doubt about it. He won the Premier League last season and started in a Champions League final in midfield. But for me, if I had to pick between the two of them, it’s Lewis Hall every day of the week and twice on Sunday.’
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