Arsenal fans showed concern for one player’s performance at the Parc des Princes.
After Arsenal lost 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s task to reach the Champions League final was made even harder.
In the return at the Parc des Princes, the Gunners started rapidly, firing a succession of shots at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal.
To the visitors’ disbelief, it was PSG who took the lead in the first half to double the aggregate score, as Fabian Ruiz took advantage of some sloppy defending.
Though Arsenal started admirably well, besides conceding the goal, some supporters noticed one key weakness: a player who is rarely the subject of criticism.
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Arsenal fans react as Myles Lewis-Skelly struggles vs PSG
Myles Lewis-Skelly made Champions League history by starting against PSG in both legs of the semi-final.
Unfortunately, on a record-breaking night for the teen, the defender fluffed his lines, as his disjointed first-half display caught the attention of Arsenal fans on social media.
“This is one of the first times Lewis-Skelly is playing like someone of his age and experience,” a supporter said, an opinion regrettably shared by others.
“The first change should be Tierney for Lewis-Skelly. The youngster is out of his depth.”
Another fan admitted it was the ‘first time’ they’d ever ‘seen MLS looking stunned’, as reaction to the Hale End graduate’s struggles poured in on X.
“Lewis-Skelly really struggling out there, need to get him off,” a supporter said.
Another agreed, “Poor Lewis Skelly. He’s been awful today.”
A theme that fans noticed from the first half was how frequently the England international was losing possession.
“Lewis Skelly been absolutely abject tonight. Keeps losing the ball in dangerous positions.”
“Lewis Skelly has lost the ball an unbelievable amount of times tonight,” another agreed, stressing that, “this is not one of those games where you can take all the time in the world.”
Another fan showed sympathy for the ‘suffering’ Lewis-Skelly, while others called for him to be subbed in the interval.
“MLS is suffering today as well,” and, “MLS having a tough time man. Might be best to put Calafiori on – extra aerial duel winner.”
Lewis-Skelly’s first-half statistics vs PSG
Fans were concerned about the rate at which Lewis-Skelly was losing the ball, as he lost possession six times in the first half.
One instance of losing the ball amounted to an error leading to a shot, as PSG started to prey on the teenager’s struggles.
| Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first half vs PSG |
| 1 error leading to shot |
| 11 passes completed |
| 6x possession lost |
| 23 touches |
Still only 18, it’s remarkable in itself that fans rarely see Lewis-Skelly perform below par, with the timing of such so frustrating.
Regardless, it’s been a stellar debut campaign for the Englishman, who has proved his worth against some of Europe’s best.
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