Paul Scholes tells Arsenal to 'get rid' of £60m star to keep Myles Lewis-Skelly

Scholes says Arsenal must keep their young star this summer (Picture: The Overlap Fan Debate)

Paul Scholes believes Arsenal would be better off ‘getting rid’ of Martin Zubimendi and handing Myles Lewis-Skelly a more prominent role in the team this season.

After a breakout campaign for the Gunners and for England during the 2024-25 season, Lewis-Skelly endured a frustrating campaign last term before finally forcing his way back into the side for the title run-in.

The 20-year-old started just one Premier League game before April but with other members of the squad tiring, started in midfield in big wins over Fulham and West Ham United in May. Lewis-Skelly also shone in the Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, keeping his place in the side in the final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

With Mikel Arteta preferring Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie at left-back, Lewis-Skelly’s resurgence came in central midfield.

But the addition of Bruno Guimaraes to an area of the pitch that already includes Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Zubimendi has raised doubts over his future again.

Zubimendi enjoyed an impressive first season in England last term but struggled towards the back end of a draining campaign with only David Raya and Rice racking up more minutes.

Lewis-Skelly has been offered to other clubs (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

Lewis-Skelly replaced the Spain international in the side in those key fixtures with Manchester United legend Scholes believing he should be the one to make way to ensure the Arsenal youngster gets more opportunities.

‘I prefer Myles Lewis-Skelly in centre midfield to Zubimendi,’ Scholes said in the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate.

‘I think Zubimendi struggled last year. If there’s one player you are going to get rid of, it would be him [Martin Zubimendi]. The problem I’ve got with this left back role is that [Mikel] Arteta last year basically played four centre-halves last season.’

Zubimendi joined from Real Sociedad last year (Picture: Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

There have been conflicting reports over Lewis-Skelly’s future with it suggested he has been offered to both Chelsea and Manchester United . United were first credited with interest back in January with Michael Carrick still eager to sign a left-back and a midfielder – two positions Lewis-Skelly can cover.

Lewis-Skelly, who is under contract until 2030, scored during Arsenal’s friendly win over Como on Wednesday and celebrated by making the shape of a heart with his hands towards the crowd at the Emirates.