Wright: Arteta should have deployed Lewis-Skelly to unlock Arsenal's midfield against City

Ian Wright has criticised Mikel Arteta's team selection for the Carabao Cup final, insisting the Arsenal boss should have deployed Myles Lewis-Skelly to help the Gunners escape their own half against Manchester City.

Arsenal's cup final hopes crumbled at Wembley last Sunday when Nico O'Reilly's brace sealed City's victory. The result was compounded by another costly error from stand-in goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, which handed the initiative to Pep Guardiola's side. City were thoroughly deserving winners, with Arsenal retreating into their shell as the second half wore on.

The defeat leaves Arsenal nine points clear at the summit of the Premier League with seven matches remaining, but they were starved of possession and opportunities throughout, effectively pinned back by City's dominance.

Speaking on Stick To Football, Wright pinpointed Lewis-Skelly as the missing piece. The academy prospect impressed during his breakthrough campaign last season but has managed just one Premier League start this term, with Arteta rotating between Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori at left-back.

Wright highlighted the youngster's previous display against Real Madrid as evidence of his pedigree. "That's the game he should have played," Wright explained, emphasising that a left-back comfortable receiving possession could have helped Arsenal construct play from the back rather than surrender the ball under pressure.

The former Gunner stressed that Lewis-Skelly possesses the technical foundation to flourish at this level, arguing his inclusion would have lifted morale and provided a creative outlet. "We needed a footballer on Sunday," Wright said, lamenting that Arsenal's alternative approach yielded nothing but frustration.

Wright suggested that even a brief cameo from the 21-year-old could have sparked the team and energised the supporters, but instead Arsenal endured a performance that disappointed him deeply.