Darren Bent thinks Myles Lewis-Skelly has looked shaky defensively this season, and he’s hoping the young player bounces back if he gets the nod against Chelsea.

Last year, Lewis-Skelly exploded onto the scene. He jumped out of Arsenal’s youth system and suddenly looked like a real first-team star, right there with Ethan Nwaneri, another academy kid. But lately? Things changed. The 19-year-old, who’s played all over the pitch but mostly at left-back, has slipped behind Riccardo Calafiori in the lineup. He’s only started once in the Premier League this season.

Still, Mikel Arteta gave him a shot in the FA Cup last weekend. Lewis-Skelly started as Arsenal came from behind to beat Portsmouth and marched into the fourth round.

No question, the teenager will be itching to keep his place for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea. And while a bunch of Premier League clubs are apparently lining up for a January loan move, Arsenal have no plans to let him go.

Bent, who played for England and Tottenham but has always supported Arsenal, isn’t thrilled with Lewis-Skelly’s recent form. He hopes the youngster finds his feet again soon, especially with the World Cup on the horizon.

“He’s had a tougher time this season. Last year, everyone just went, ‘Wow!’” Bent said on talkSPORT. “But coming back now, Calafiori’s been excellent, so Lewis-Skelly hasn’t played much. I think he’ll play against Chelsea, maybe, but honestly, against Portsmouth, he looked a bit vulnerable at the back.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal fans can’t stop arguing about Viktor Gyokeres, the big summer signing who’s scored just once in his last ten games. His showing against Liverpool didn’t help—he only touched the ball eight times and never looked like a threat. Now, a lot of supporters want to see Kai Havertz start instead.

Bent gets it. “I want it to work for Gyokeres—I’m a big fan. But right now, whatever the reason, it just isn’t coming together for him,” he said. “He hardly touched the ball, didn’t have a shot, and the ball flashed across the six-yard box with him nowhere near it.”

After Chelsea, Arsenal are right back at it, away to Nottingham Forest in the league. They're hoping to hang onto the top spot. Looking ahead to that one, Bent said Arsenal used to be rattled by Sean Dyche’s teams, but not anymore. He’s predicting a 2-0 win for Arteta’s side.

“I remember when Dyche was at Everton, and I’d wonder if Arsenal had the leaders and characters to cope,” Bent said. “But now, this squad’s full of players with size, presence, and a willingness to do the hard, physical work. The physical side of the game doesn’t worry me as it used to.”

Arsenal started this season with one clear goal: to win the Premier League. Simple as that.

But they haven't stopped there. They’re sitting at the top of the Champions League group, through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, and already in the League Cup semi-finals. It’s been a real group effort, but let’s be honest—some players have shone brighter. Declan Rice, for one, has made a massive difference. And now, if the rumours are true, Arsenal is eyeing another player in that same mould.

Think back to last summer. Arsenal spent a club-record £105 million to bring Rice to North London. The pressure on him? Huge. Fans and pundits wondered if he could live up to it. Fast forward to now, and you’d struggle to find anyone who thinks he hasn't. Whether he’s breaking up attacks, starting moves, or leading without the armband, Rice has become a cornerstone for Arteta.

So it makes sense that Arsenal wants someone else who can make that kind of impact.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal are seriously interested in Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. Arteta is apparently already calling the Palace defender about a summer move when his contract runs out. But Arsenal isn’t alone—Liverpool is pushing hard, and Man City is still in the race, hoping to strike a deal this January.

Romano put it like this: “Guehi wants to move in the summer on a free transfer. Liverpool and Arsenal are both insisting. Bayern are meeting with him too. Man City want to go strong in January.” It’s shaping up to be a real battle.

Landing Guehi won’t be easy, but he’s worth fighting for—he could be Arsenal’s next Rice.

Now, let’s be real: Rice and Guehi don’t play the same position. Rice started at centre-back, sure, but he’s a midfielder now. The comparison isn’t about where they line up on the pitch.

Instead, it’s about what they bring: leadership, presence, and the ability to change games. Both have captained their teams, both are leaders for England, and both are the kind of players Arteta wants at the core of his squad.

Look at Palace’s FA Cup run last year. Eberechi Eze scored the goal, but it was Guehi, the defensive rock, who led them through. He’s more than just a defender—he steps up in big moments, just like Rice.

So, even if it takes some work, Arsenal should go all out for Guehi this summer. He might just be the next big piece in Arteta’s puzzle.