Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates after Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League final
Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates after Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League final
View 3 Images
Myles Lewis-Skelly left the pitch to a standing ovation.
Arsenal fans chanted: “49, 49, Lewis-Skelly, playing football the Arsenal Way.” It was enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end.
It was not just about his performance in the Champions League semi final. Only his second start playing in central midfield for the first team. This was an incredible story for a 19-year-old who provided the energy, the drive and the determination to get Arsenal to the final in Budapest on May 30.
And, ultimately, Lewis-Skelly’s arrival at such a crucial stage of the season might not just have given the team a lift but also changed the course of his Arsenal career.
On Saturday, Lewis-Skelly was the surprise inclusion in Arsenal’s midfield against Fulham. Yes, he came up through the academy as a midfielder but he broke into Arsenal’s first team and into the England squad as a left back.
And this season has been so tough. There have been times when he has been third choice behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori. It has been brutal and has clearly affected him.
There were games when he did not even make the match day squad or the bench and was left to train on his own. After last season when he was one of the standout stories of the campaign, he could not get a kick.
Declan Rice referenced it after Arsenal’s win over Atletico. How Mikel Arteta had been tough on him. But also how Lewis-Skelly refused to give up, was first in the gym and had earned this reprieve with his attitude in training. His mindset is so strong.
Mikel Arteta admits he's been tough on the Arsenal youngster this season
Mikel Arteta admits he's been tough on the Arsenal youngster this season
View 3 Images
But still some fans would be lying if they did not fear the worst when Lewis-Skelly started against Fulham. But he was fabulous. He drove forward, always looked forward and was brave with his passing.
He started ahead of Spain international Martin Zubimendi who has struggled himself for confidence recently and suddenly Arsenal had a player who was passing forward rather than sideways.
It was so noticeable that Arteta made straight for Lewis-Skelly after the final whistle against Fulham. There was a huge hug. Arsenal had changed the mood. They had played well and Lewis-Skelly was the game-changer.
Having said that, it was still such a huge call for Arteta to put a teenager rookie in ahead of an established Spain international for a European semi final.
But if he took him out then it would have really put Lewis-Skelly back. That is why Arteta put his faith in the academy graduate. And that is why Arsenal felt that energy, positivity and connection on Tuesday night.
"I think I've been tough on him." admitted Arteta in his post-match press conference. "And he's been very, very persistent and consistent in his behaviours and in the manner that he's been knocking on the door constantly to earn the right to play. I think he deserves it and that's why he played.”
Arsenal's English midfielder #49 Myles Lewis-Skelly is put under pressure by Atletico Madrid's Argentinian striker #19 Julian Alvarez during the UEFA Champions League second-leg semi-final football match between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium in north London on May 5, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
Lewis-Skelly impressed again at the heart of Arsenal's midfield(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Any true football fan will tell you how much they love an academy graduate, a homegrown hero who really understands the supporter base. That connection is irresistible with Lewis-Skelly.
After the game, he posted a video on social media celebrating with his gran and doing a victory dance with his mum Marcia.
What a fabulous story. He was brilliant again against Atletico. His signature move is getting the ball under pressure, sticking his bum out to protect it and then turning forward. Always forward. This kid was doing it against seasoned European campaigners. And with no fear.
This was a story to enjoy. There has been talk about Lewis-Skelly and whether he would be sacrificed this summer. One homegrown youngster may be sold. It is impossible to imagine now it will be him. He can play left back. He can boss midfield. And he bring positivity.
He might just have given Arsenal’s season the boost it needed to go on and rewrite the record books and make himself a legend in the process.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Content Image
Content Image