Match Coverage

Myles Lewis-Skelly breaks 13-year Arsenal record in the Champions League vs Monaco

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was given the huge responsibility of starting for the side in their Champions League tie with AS Monaco on Wednesday night.

The Hale End academy graduate has been in squads for Mikel Arteta, used on occasion from the bench at left-back.

With an injury crisis sweeping through Arsenal, particularly in the defensive ranks, it handed an opportunity for Lewis-Skelly to stake a claim in that position.

The 18-year-old is still up-and-coming, with a first start in the Champions League cementing a personal milestone, but also a club one.

Arsenal FC v AS Monaco - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6
Photo by Julian Finney – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Myles Lewis-Skelly becomes one of the youngest starting Arsenal players in the Champions League

With Lewis-Skelly reaching the heights of a first start in the Champions League, the youngster has already broken records before stepping out on the pitch.

At 18 years, two months and 15 days old, the defender becomes the youngest star to start in European competition for Arsenal since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

That was back in 2011, when he featured in a 2-1 victory over Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium.

Oxlade-Chamberlain scored just eight minutes into that first European start, which may be a good omen for Lewis-Skelly.

The midfielder played 67 minutes before he was substituted off, going on to have an impressive career – even if it was littered with injuries.

Lewis-Skelly will be hoping to reach the heights that many youngsters have reached over the years at Arsenal.

That could all start with a stand-out performance against AS Monaco.

Fulham FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

What Mikel Arteta has said about Myles Lewis-Skelly

Ahead of the game, Arteta gave plenty of praise to Lewis-Skelly, outlining his hope for the star to go and impress.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Arsenal boss said: ““Well obviously the circumstances, to be fair, then the fact that the kid [Lewis-Skelly] has done really well for us and he deserves a chance.

“We’re really excited to see one of our own coming in for a big match like this to play for us.”

It will be another proud moment for the Hale End academy, with yet more chances handed to those youngsters who are ready to step up.

Whether that turns into more regular starts remains to be seen, but there will be some hope that he can put in a top performance to put himself in the best position to play more.