Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines on Derby Debut as Arsenal Revive Title Hopes

Arsenal's 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly made a stunning derby debut, helping his team defeat Tottenham and revive their Premier League title hopes.

Arsenal's 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly made a remarkable debut in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite being thrust into a high-pressure situation, Lewis-Skelly showed no signs of intimidation, delivering a composed performance that belied his tender age.

Mikel Arteta's decision to hand Lewis-Skelly his debut was born out of necessity, with three senior defenders sidelined through injury. Interestingly, Lewis-Skelly's background is in midfield, having progressed through Arsenal's academy in that role. However, Arteta's gamble paid off, as the teenager seamlessly adapted to his new position, helping Arsenal secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over their arch-rivals.

Arsenal were reeling from back-to-back losses in the League Cup and FA Cup, making their encounter with Tottenham Hotspur a crucial test of their mettle. Spurs, under Ange Postecoglou, had been averaging over two goals per game in the league, posing a significant threat to Arsenal's chances. However, 18-year-old left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly rose to the occasion, becoming the second-youngest Arsenal player to feature in a league derby against Spurs.

Lewis-Skelly demonstrated his attacking prowess within two minutes of kickoff, making an interception, dribbling through midfield, and nearly providing an assist for Raheem Sterling. The young left-back also showed maturity and composure in dealing with Spurs' winger Dejan Kulusevski, handling everything thrown his way. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Lewis-Skelly's “phenomenal” performance, saying, “It's very rare to see, 18-years-old, playing against Kulusevski and (Brennan) Johnson in a big London derby for the first time, to perform with that composure, with that attitude and control emotionally.”

Arteta expressed his pride in Lewis-Skelly's achievement, highlighting the teenager's rapid development. “He makes everybody at the club very proud. He has been in our system for a long time... With him, he was ready very early and in a different position. He has never played as a full-back before,” Arteta noted, emphasizing Lewis-Skelly's adaptability and potential.

Just four months ago, Myles Lewis-Skelly made his debut in a thrilling draw against Manchester City, where he notably stood up to Erling Haaland. The Norwegian striker had asked Lewis-Skelly who he was, but the young player's recent performances have firmly put him on the map. Lewis-Skelly's teammate, Declan Rice, was effusive in his praise, saying the 18-year-old was “built in a lab.”

💬 "It was a great gesture from them. It tells the story about the dressing room, spirit and culture that we have created." pic.twitter.com/JLPyyVvTxj

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 16, 2025

Rice was astonished by Lewis-Skelly's maturity and skill on the pitch. “For 18 years of age to be playing how he is... it is just ridiculous. The young players now have no fear, none whatsoever,” Rice said. He also predicted a bright future for Lewis-Skelly, suggesting that he could soon play for England. Rice highlighted Lewis-Skelly's impressive strength, comparing him to Moussa Dembele. “Four or five times in the second half he used his body to get away from someone. He has that Moussa Dembele-type strength.”

Myles Lewis-Skelly was given a rapturous sendoff by the Arsenal faithful as he departed the pitch in the 87th minute, basking in the adoration of the crowd. The beaming youngster encouraged the fans to raise the volume, reveling in the electric atmosphere as Arsenal moved up to second place, narrowing the gap to leaders Liverpool to four points and reigniting the title race.

Cool with it, Myles 🥶 pic.twitter.com/NYKnfOb87X

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 16, 2025

Lewis-Skelly struggled to contain his emotions as he reflected on his derby debut. “I'm feeling every emotion possible, I'm on cloud nine... I was a kid watching the derbies and know how much it means to the fans, it's everything. To experience it today, I can't stop smiling,” he exclaimed. Lewis-Skelly emphasized the significance of the match and his contribution to the team's victory. “This game means more... I'm happy I helped the team. The most important thing was getting the three points, building momentum and I'm happy with how I played.”