Myles Lewis-Skelly, an 18-year-old Arsenal academy graduate, has expressed his admiration for Bukayo Saka after making his full UEFA Champions League debut in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over AS Monaco. With injuries plaguing Arsenal’s defense, manager Mikel Arteta turned to the young midfielder, who delivered a composed and impressive performance at the Emirates Stadium.
Lewis-Skelly’s Impactful Debut
Starting in a high-stakes match, Lewis-Skelly played 64 minutes and was instrumental in Arsenal’s opening goal. Demonstrating remarkable composure, he evaded pressure and delivered a precise through ball to Gabriel Jesus, whose assist enabled Bukayo Saka to find the back of the net. The teenager completed 96% of his 47 passes, showcasing maturity and control beyond his years.
Born in Islington and raised in Arsenal’s famed Hale End academy, Lewis-Skelly has already drawn comparisons to other notable graduates like Saka. His Champions League debut made him the youngest Arsenal starter in the competition since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011.
After the match, Lewis-Skelly shared his excitement, saying, “I’m over the moon. I’ve come a long way. I just want to thank everyone for giving me the opportunity. Hopefully, it’s the first of many, and I’ll push on from here. Looking up to Bukayo, he has everything. I’ve learned a lot from him, and I want to keep learning.”
Arsenal Strengthen Their Champions League Campaign
Arsenal’s victory over AS Monaco marked a crucial step toward securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase. Despite an injury-hit lineup missing Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhães, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, the Gunners remained dominant.
Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 34th minute and later capitalized on a defensive error to double the lead in the 78th. Kai Havertz, coming off the bench, added the final goal in the 88th minute. This win propelled Arsenal to four victories in six games, positioning them strongly in the league-format group stage.
Bright Future for Arsenal’s Academy
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s breakout performance highlights the depth of talent in Arsenal’s youth ranks. With role models like Saka to guide him, the young midfielder appears poised for a promising future at the club. Arsenal fans will undoubtedly be eager to see more of him as he continues to develop under Arteta’s guidance.
