After starring in our 3-0 Champions League victory against Monaco, Myles Lewis-Skelly feels it was the best moment of his career so far.
The 18-year-old was handed just his second Gunners start against the French giants, but put in a fine display from left-back to keep a clean sheet and play his part in our opening goal. That was made all the more impressive after he only found out he was starting a few hours before kick-off.
He admits that being able to stand on the pitch and hear the Champions League anthem blaring out before a big home game and having the trust of Mikel Arteta means that tonight is a night that will live with him forever.
When asked where it ranks in his best moments, he admitted: “It’s up there! I will say it goes first because it’s my first-ever start in a Champions League game. It’s the nights I’ve been living for and waiting for, so we’ll definitely put it up there.
“I heard at lunchtime [he was starting]. 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.”
Read more Report: Arsenal 3-0 Monaco
Myles became the youngest Gunner to start a Champions League fixture for us since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in September 2011, but he played with a cool head, as shown by him kick-starting the move that led to our opening goal.
A brilliant turn away from a defender and inch-perfect pass to Gabriel Jesus unlocked the Monaco defence and allowed his fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka to get on the scoresheet for the first time on the night, and he was delighted that something he’s learnt in training paid off on the biggest stage.
Reflecting on his big moment, Myles added: “Martin played a great switch, and I want to play into my strengths, which is getting past players and being composed on the ball. I got away from my man well and then saw Gabby.
“We work [on it] in training and him peeling off and playing in between the lines, and then Bukayo reading it for a team goal. It was good.”
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