Welcome to Radarthe Sky Sports column in which Nick Wright uses a blend of data and opinion to illuminate the must-know stories from up and down the Premier League. this week:
🔴 The birth of a new star at Arsenal?
🔥 Savinho usurped De Bruyne in Man City?
🔍 Player to watch this weekend
Lewis-Skelly's brilliant breakthrough
The tension was high at the Emirates Stadium in the closing stages Arsenal win over Tottenham on Wednesday, but Myles Lewis-Skelly wasn't feeling it. Even after the scuffle that preceded his withdrawal, and with minutes to play, the coolest player on the field could be seen smiling as he left it.
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Paul Merson reflects on Arsenal's win over Spurs and says their exit from the FA Cup could be a blessing in disguise
It was a real spectacle. As Arsenal prepared to save a Spurs corner, Lewis-Skelly, their youngest player to start a north London Premier League derby since Cesc Fabregas in 2005, raised his arms to the crowd, relishing the occasion.
Maybe he knew it was done. After all, it is arranged differently. “It's like it was made in a lab,” Declan Rice said recently. That might be the best explanation for how this left-back-turned academy midfielder can look so serenely comfortable so early in his senior career.
As recently as a month ago, he started just one first-team game, the Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers in October. Now, he looks like Arsenal's best option in a position where they are full of experienced alternatives. An invitation to England is certainly beckoning.
His performance against Spurs, flanked by Thomas Tuchel, was just the latest in which he displayed outstanding technical skill and composure. Interestingly, he has the highest passing accuracy rate in the Premier League this season at 96.1 percent.
Lewis-Skelly ranks first in the Premier League for passing accuracy
That list is dominated by center backs, who usually get more time to select passes. Lewis-Skelly, in contrast, often operates in the middle of the field, where he is hounded and harassed by opponents. They quickly discover that you press it at your peril.
He doesn't play easy either. With only his second touch against Spurs, the 18-year-old could be seen driving towards the box and pushing Raheem Sterling through on goal. He excels at getting balls through the lines and relishes the chance to join attacks.
Lewis-Skelly plays as a reverse left-back, moving into midfield in possession
Most impressive, however, is the display of defensive qualities for the pair. On Wednesday night, Lewis-Skelly played Dejan Kulusevski in the first half and Brennan Johnson in the second, but didn't go through either. In fact, according to Opta, he is yet to make it this season in the Premier League.
His strength in duels stands out. As for passing accuracy, Lewis-Skelly is the best of the Premier League's tacklers this season with 72.2 per cent, putting him ahead of some notable names in Liverpool duo Ibrahim Konata and Virgil van Dijk, Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa and John Stones from Manchester City.
Lewis-Skelly also top the Premier League for head-to-head success
The meeting with Spurs was not the first in which he showed that he can handle himself physically. In last month's win over Ipswich, a number of players, including Liam Delap and Calvin Phillips, could be seen trying to shake him to no avail. “I'm never afraid of anybody,” he shrugged in a television interview with Ian Wright.
It's still early, of course. Lewis-Skelly played just 332 minutes in the Premier League. But it was clear from the moment he entered the team that he was ready to step up. And it is clear now, a month later, with Arsenal's title hopes on the rise again, that he is here to stay.
Saturday, January 18 at 5:00 p.m
Start at 17:30
Savinho becomes Haaland's main provider
Manchester City are taking big steps to freshen up their attack. Erling Haaland's extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract followed by the arrival of Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. Savinho is also in line for a big role.
Pep Guardiola's excitement about the Brazil international was evident from his first appearance, in the Community Shield win over Manchester United in August. “I think when he plays on the left, he will help Erling score goals,” Guardiola told reporters afterwards.
His prediction about helping Haaland turned out to be correct. Savinho has overtaken Kevin De Bruyne as his main provider this season, laying on four goals for him in the Premier League. That's the second-highest total between two players in the division.
Only recently, after starting the season playing mostly on the right, have Savinho's assists started coming from the left. Three came from that side in wins over Leicester and West Ham. From the same position, he also played a key role in both of Phil Foden's goals in the draw with Brentford.
Savinho has been used on both flanks this season
Guardiola raved about Savinho's ability to “attack the line” as an “old-fashioned winger” when he played on the left back in August. It's surprising that it took him so long to use it consistently. But Savinho offered creativity on both flanks.
Sunday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m
Start at 16:30
Although his total of five assists seems modest, the underlying data highlights the quality of the chances he creates. His average of 0.37 expected open play assists per 90 minutes is the highest among Premier League players this season – including De Bruyne.
Savinho is the best in the Premier League in terms of expected open assists per 90 minutes
Those numbers reflect the statistical likelihood that chances lead to goals. Given that actual assists rely on the finishing touches of other players, they are worth paying attention to when it comes to measuring the true quality of a player's creative output.
We are told, in no uncertain terms, that Savinho is already doing his part. Manchester City will be hoping that his relationship with newly signed Haaland continues to bear fruit in the years ahead.
Player Radar: Who else to watch out for
Chelsea sign Pedro Neto was rated as one of the standout signings of the summer, but six months on, the winger faces former club Wolves in Monday Night Football who scored just one goal and provided two assists in the Premier League. Could he kick-start his career at Stamford Bridge against his old side?
Live Radar: What's on Sky this weekend?
Arsenal host Aston Villa for Saturday Night Football fixture, with coverage starting at Sky Sports Premier League and The main event from 17 hours before the start at 17:30.
Great week look Everton and Tottenham go head-to-head in the early game, starting at 2:00 p.m., with Ipswich downloading Manchester City at a later start at 16.30. The coverage of that double header begins Sky Sports Premier League and The main event at 13:00.
He Monday Night Footballjoin David Jones and Jamie Carragher as Chelsea hosted by Vitor Pereira Wolvesstarting at 8 p.m.
Read the latest Radar column
Radar had a week off for the third round of the FA Cup, but before that the focus on Manchester United's clash with Liverpool proved prophetic as Lisandro Martinez and Manuel Ugarte he played a key role in securing a point for Ruben Amorim's side.