Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly made his second England appearance in the Three Lions win over Latvia on Monday night, having scored on his debut against Albania
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Updated 21:54, 24 Mar 2025
Ian Wright could only look on as Keane took a pop at Arsenal
Ian Wright could only look on as Keane took a pop at Arsenal
Roy Keane praised Myles Lewis-Skelly for his cunning as he won the free-kick from which Reece James opened the scoring for England on Monday night. But he couldn't resist taking a pop at Arsenal as he did so.
Lewis-Skelly scored England's opener in Friday's win over Albania, just 19 minutes into his senior Three Lions debut. The Gunners youngster has enjoyed a wonderful breakthrough season and is now cementing himself as Thomas Tuchel's first choice at left back.
He couldn't find another goal against Latvia but played his part in James' opener, a quite stunning effort from the Chelsea man on his first start for his country in over two years. Lewis-Skelly went down after a challenge from Vladislavs Gutkovskis, feeling the contact and hitting the deck.
Analysing the moment at half-time on ITV, Keane ultimately decided that it was a clever piece of play from Lewis-Skelly - while suggesting it was a 'dark art' that he'd have learned in North London.
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"It was touch and go," Keane told ITV when asked whether it should have been a free-kick. "I think they were clever winning the free-kick. They [Latvia] were slightly unlucky. Although take nothing away from the free-kick.
"Lewis-Skelly here...he's obviously learned that well at Arsenal over the years. It's 50-50."
Myles Lewis Skelly in action against Latvia
(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright, working opposite Keane, responded: "You get free-kicks for those nowadays."
Keane responded: " It was smart, it was clever."
Speaking post-game, goalscorer James said about his return and goal: "I've had a frustrating two and a half years. I'm so happy to get called up again and play. I saw the wall, thought I could bend it around, and thankfully it hit the back of the net."
On his celebration, James added: "I was a bit surprised it actually hit the net!"
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