Arsenal's Midfield Selection Dilemma: How Lewis-Skelly and Guimaraes Can Coexist

Arsenal will host Chelsea in a London derby that could feature a clash between the Premier League's strongest attack and strongest midfield. After the Gunners signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United this summer, manager Mikel Arteta suddenly found himself with a wealth of midfield options.

In the opening two league rounds, the midfield trio of Odegaard, Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly had almost made no mistakes. Odegaard had a greater influence against Coventry; Rice's ability to cover both attacking and defensive areas helped Arsenal switch rhythms flexibly across the two matches; while Lewis-Skelly showed excellent composure in possession against Coventry, completing 19 passes into the attacking third in one match, before producing an even more "mature" defensive performance at Villa Park.

The options available on the bench are even more enviable.

Arteta's bench also includes Guimaraes, Merino and Zubimendi — two Spanish players who are World Cup and European Championship winners, as well as a former Newcastle captain who provided four assists for Brazil at the World Cup. Merino can easily escape pressing and maintain possession, Zubimendi has become more competitive than in the second half of last season, and Guimaraes combines the qualities of both while also being more willing to play forward passes.

When Arteta moved Lewis-Skelly into midfield last May, he joked that he had drawn countless formations on his iPad. Now his selection dilemma is not only about having a full squad, but also about every player offering something different — a luxury Arteta rarely had last season, when Odegaard and Merino were injured at different stages.

Lewis-Skelly initially kept his midfield position because World Cup players were on holiday, but he later established himself through his performances. The 19-year-old's ability to receive the ball with a half-turn, escape pressing and drive forward with the ball makes him a unique player. He started alongside Guimaraes in the Community Shield, and if not for a minor injury, the latter might have replaced Rice in the starting lineup during the first two league rounds.

The balance of Lewis-Skelly and Guimaraes rotating alongside Odegaard worked well against Manchester City, but Rice is not the type of player who would be rotated or rested for a home match against Chelsea. If Guimaraes is considered ready after his brief appearance at Villa Park, Arsenal could have a completely new midfield setup this weekend.