Myles Lewis-Skelly Reveals When He Found Out He Was Set For First Champions League Start

By The Editor
on 12th December 2024

Myles Lewis-Skelly shines on full European debut…

Arsenal starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly revealed he was told he’d be making his first start in the Champions League at lunchtime with the teenager rising to the challenge.

Given the injury situation in defence, Mikel Arteta tapped the Hale End star to deputise at left-back as Jurrien Timber was given a rest.

Lewis-Skelly is being integrated into the first team in that role and while he’s had senior minutes in the Carabao Cup this season, this was a step up in quality.

The 18-year-old got over an hour of football under his belt and played a huge role in our opening goal as he wriggled by Monaco’s press before sliding Gabriel Jesus through. Bukayo Saka tapped in the Brazilian star’s cross as we strolled to a comfortable 3-0 win.

“I heard at lunchtime,” Lewis-Skelly told Arsenal Media.

“I tried to play it down, but inside I was buzzing! I was just so excited to come and play, and told some of my family not to tell anyone. I was just excited.

“I just felt ready, I had full belief in myself and prepared myself for this moment mentally. I was just ready to go into the game.

“I’m over the moon. I’m just grateful to have been given an opportunity to get my starting debut. I’m going to kick on and help the team out as much as I can.”

Arteta tellingly substituted the academy graduate at the hour mark, and with our defence’s injury crisis showing no signs of easing up, Lewis-Skelly must be in contention to start against Everton.

The boss has often stated the importance of full-backs playing on their strong foot and with Timber the only available alternative, one wonders if the teenager will keep his place.

Once you prove to be of the required level against a solid Champions League side, the manager has now gained an extra body in the squad without delving into the transfer market.