What happened: Mikel Arteta said he has no clear answer for why it took so long to start Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, telling reporters: "Probably I don't have a clue! Maybe I should have done it earlier, I don't know." Arteta added the move was "a big risk" and questioned what would have happened had Arsenal lost the game. The comments came after Lewis-Skelly's latest appearance in central midfield for the Premier League leaders.

Why it matters: The self-deprecating admission cuts against Arteta's reputation as a meticulous tactician and reinforces the manager's public backing of the young academy product. Arteta has been openly tough on Lewis-Skelly this season, making the midfield experiment a notable vote of confidence. With Arsenal sitting atop the Premier League table, lineup decisions in the run-in carry direct title implications.

What to watch: Watch whether Arteta sticks with Lewis-Skelly in midfield for upcoming fixtures or reverts to his natural left-back role. The teenager's continued involvement in the engine room could reshape Arsenal's rotation through the title run-in.