Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring with teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring with teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly
Bukayo Saka is confident Myles Lewis-Skelly has a bright future ahead of him after the 18-year-old impressed on his full Champions League debut for Arsenal.
Lewis-Skelly, who like Saka is a product of the club’s Hale End Academy, was thrust into the European spotlight against Monaco at the Emirates amid Arsenal’s defensive crisis. But the teenager looked assured throughout, and played a key pass to Gabriel Jesus for Saka to net the opening goal of his double in a 3-0 win.
Prior to Wednesday’s fixture, Lewis-Skelly had made just two starts for the Gunners, both in the Carabao Cup, but he was handed his opportunity ahead of Scotland international Kieran Tierney.
“His future is very bright,” Saka, 23, told TNT Sports. “He just needs to keep the same head that he’s got. His mentality is top, he’s always asking questions, and looking to learn.
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“I just said to him, like I said to him before the game, that this is his level. He needs to have no doubts about his confidence, and what he’s doing in training. I was pleased with him, he was a big part of the first goal, and I’m so proud of him.”
Lewis-Skelly was replaced shortly after the hour mark by Jurrien Timber. However, the defender is likely to be handed further opportunities with Arteta combating injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who were both unavailable for the match against Monaco. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.
The Gunners’ comprehensive win against Monaco leaves them third in the 36-team league format with the top eight assured of automatic qualification through to the last 16.
Arsenal, six points adrift of Liverpool, return to Premier League action against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday before two matches against Crystal Palace next week – first at home in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, and then in the league at Selhurst Park.
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