Myles Lewis-Skelly started and helped Arsenal pick up a 3-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League.
The Gunners went into the game with quite a few injury issues. Mikel Arteta did not have his preferred personnel available, but that didn’t stop the Gunners from getting the job done.
Bukayo Saka scored a brace, one in each half, before he set up Kai Havertz for the third. That sealed the win and fans are delighted with the result.
Saka was arguably the man of the match, but Lewis-Skelly is the player everyone is talking about after his full Champions League debut on Wednesday night.
French media deliver verdict on Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly became the youngest Arsenal player to start a Champions League game since Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain all the way back in 2011.
The 18-year-old has been viewed as a huge prospect for a couple of years now. He has been shining for the youth sides and has fared well when he has been given an opportunity in the first-team too.
Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko forced Arteta to make a change at left-back, and the Arsenal manager gave Lewis-Skelly the nod.
The youngster looked at home from the first minute. He dealt with the physical side of the game really well and had no problem inverting.
To add to that, he was heavily involved in Saka’s opening goal – it was his brilliant pass that allowed Gabriel Jesus to get into the box and find the Arsenal number seven.
Arsenal fans are delighted with Lewis-Skelly’s performance, and it looks like media outlets in France are impressed too.
Foot Mercato wrote about Lewis-Skelly: “Decisive on the first goal with his good opening which created a gap in the Monegasque defence, the 18-year-old player perfectly reciprocated the trust granted by his coach by delivering a performance full of personality.
“Defensively, the trained midfielder did not seem to struggle in his role as left-back and was perfectly able to contain a discreet Akliouche.”
MaxiFoot added: “For this Champions League match, Mikel Arteta chose to field this 18-year-old midfielder as left back. It wasn’t a gift. And yet, the young Gunner responded perfectly!
“His ability to find passes between the lines, even under pressure, did his team good. He easily eliminated Akliouche before serving the decisive pass to Gabriel Jesus on the first goal. We will surely see him again.”
Homme Du Match said: “The 18-year-old, who started in the Champions League for the first time in his career, played an exceptional match. A modern left-back, entering the axis of the game to take the role of number six in possession of the ball, he was so calm, without stress and without any complexity.
“Letting his talent explode in the eyes of all, he was involved as much in the defensive work with muscular and very clean interventions as he was in his offensive contribution. This was well illustrated by his sharp pass for Jesus, leading to the first goal.”
Lewis-Skelly has given Mikel Arteta a big headache
Arteta has had a number of issues at Arsenal this season.
The Gunners boss hasn’t had a fully fit squad at his disposal yet. That has been a big concern, but Arteta could have a different headache now.
Arsenal take on Everton this weekend, and Arteta will have to choose between Jurrien Timber, Kieran Tierney and Lewis-Skelly at left-back. Things could get more complicated if the likes of Calafiori and Zinchenko return as well.
It remains to be seen what Arteta will do, but we think Lewis-Skelly has earned the opportunity to keep his place in the side.
We hope the 18-year-old starts against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
