Manchester United legend becomes unlikely ally for Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly in ‘iconic’ Premier League moments rant

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Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal celebration for Arsenal against Manchester City is still prompting discourse online.

Arsenal beat City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon, with Lewis-Skelly netting the third goal in the rout with a cultured finish on his weaker right foot.

The teenager proceeded to run over to the jubilant North Bank crowd, sit on the turf, and mimic Erling Haaland’s meditation celebration.

Lewis-Skelly has been accused of mocking Haaland with these antics, which has sparked heated arguments amongst pundits and fans.

The Premier League now want to crack down on celebrations that could be deemed inflammatory, with this incident provoking this authoritarian response.

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Rio Ferdinand hits back at Gary Neville comments on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s celebration

Among those criticising Lewis-Skelly’s actions was former Manchester United defender and now pundit Gary Neville.

Neville described the 18-year-old as ‘getting carried away’, although admitted that the incident didn’t bother him as much as Gabriel Magalhaes shouting in Haaland’s face.

However, fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher did claim that he ‘wasn’t a fan’ of the celebration, saying it crossed a line.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand presents, Neville’s ex-teammate defended Lewis-Skelly.

Ferdinand said: “I saw Gary Neville say it’s [Lewis-Skelly’s celebration] disrespectful. Bro, some of the biggest, most iconic moments in Premier League history aren’t about football.

“Roy Keane in the tunnel with Vieira. Martin Keown with Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Adebayor running to the Arsenal fans. Me slapping Mr Bennet.

“Come on man. Gary Neville, one of his biggest moments was doing that [grabbing the Manchester United badge] to Liverpool fans after my goal.”

Pundits should be focusing on Lewis-Skelly’s performances for Arsenal and not his celebration

The celebration has detracted pundits from discussing Lewis-Skelly’s actual performances, which is what should be the centre of attention.

The Premier League needs bite to add to the narrative, to ensure it doesn’t get dull or lose its glorious tribalism, and the Hale End Academy graduate’s reaction to scoring his first senior goal is certainly this.

However, what should be the story is that the starlet has burst onto the first team scene in a short space of time and looked excellent in the process.

Arsenal fans were raving about Lewis-Skelly after his performance against City, with his immense physicality, press resistance and progressive passing all attributes to admire and highlight.

His rapid development is staggering given how little he was expected to play at the start of the season.

On top of this, Lewis-Skelly is expected to earn an England call-up for the next set of international fixtures, a fantastic achievement for a player of his age.