Ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, Myles Lewis-Skelly has declared that the Gunners have no fear of their illustrious opponents.
The north Londoners are gearing up to host the Spanish giants at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final encounter next Tuesday. Carlo Ancelotti's side are favourites to progress the semi-finals, yet, Lewis-Skelly believes an upset is very much on the cards against the side that has claimed the European Cup a record 15 times.
"Obviously Real Madrid are a great team and they have the most victories in the Champions League," said the 18-year-old after Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League triumph over Fulham on Tuesday evening.
"We respect them, but we don't fear any team. We have just got to stay together and if we control everything we can control, I am sure we will be fine."
The north London club are set to be without star defender Gabriel for both legs of their last-eight date after he pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first half at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. Gabriel has been a key figure for the Gunners in recent seasons and the Brazil defender’s appearance against Fulham was his 48th for both club and country this season.
He will be assessed in the coming days, but it appears highly unlikely he will be available for the visit of Madrid next week. Gabriel's injury adds to Mikel Arteta's defensive concerns, with Jurrien Timber also a potential absentee after suffering a knee issue during the match against Fulham. Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori were already out for the clash with the Cottagers.
Yet, there's a silver lining for Arteta as Bukayo Saka made a triumphant return to the pitch after 101 days out, scoring just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute in the second half. Saka is set to get more playtime when Arsenal head to Everton this Saturday, with hopes high that he'll be fit to start in the upcoming game against Madrid.
"You can tell how important he is to the fans and the players. To have him back with the team is a big boost for us," Lewis-Skelly said on Saka.
“He helps us a lot. He has a presence about him, he knows what he is doing, he has belief in himself, and when he has the ball at his feet he creates magic.”
Lewis-Skelly, who capped a dramatic rise to stardom by scoring on his England debut last month, is also expected to line up against Real Madrid. “I am living the dream of a young boy,” he said. “But it is important I stay present, focused, and I have to take every moment as it comes, and keep striving.”
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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