Mikel Arteta just named his one favourite thing about Myles Lewis-Skelly

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Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was able to make a positive impression on his maiden Champions League start on Wednesday evening. 

With Arsenal facing a spate of defensive injuries, Hale End academy gem Myles Lewis-Skelly was drafted in to the starting XI against Monaco. 

The 18-year-old gave a good account of himself on the continental stage. Bukayo Saka even congratulated Lewis-Skelly for his role in the build up to the winger’s opening goal.

Lewis-Skelly can be proud of his efforts against Monaco, and has sent a clear message to Mikel Arteta. The manager must now recognise that the youngster is ready for more first team opportunities.

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Mikel Arteta highlights Myles Lewis-Skelly attribute

Arsenal fans were delighted with Lewis-Skelly’s performance, and there was a lot to like about his display against Monaco. 

The teenager showed great maturity, used the ball well, and was willing to take positive risks with his passing and dribbling.

Speaking to TNT Sports in the wake of this Champions League win, Arteta was quick to highlight one of the player’s attributes that he particularly admires. 

The Spanish coach said: “A word for Myles – 18-years-old and to make his debut in the Champions League is a great highlight of the game.”

The Arsenal boss then added: “What I like about him is his courage, the position he takes, how he penetrates with the ball. He’s one of our own, he has a bright future ahead of him. As a club and a manager we have to be happy with him coming through. It is a great feeling to be able to change someone’s life.”

Faith in youth paying off at Arsenal

Lewis-Skelly is not the only young talent on the books at the Emirates Stadium who has taken great strides forward this season.

Ethan Nwaneri was given a cameo against Monaco, and is another to be pushing for a regular starting role. Big things are expected of the 17-year-old, who has already shown glimpses of what is to come from him. 

Nwaneri recently became Arsenal’s youngest Premier League goalscorer since Cesc Fabregas with his strike against Nottingham Forest. 

Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri represent the future of the club, but Arteta is now discovering that they can deliver in the present if given the chance to shine.