It was the moment Myles Lewis-Skelly must have been dreaming of throughout his young career. Making his full Champions League debut at left-back due to a defensive injury crisis, the 18-year-old, born in Islington and nurtured in Arsenal’s Hale End academy for a decade, could have easily panicked when faced with a charging Eliesse Ben Seghir just after the half-hour mark. Instead, he showcased Mikel Arteta’s faith in him by sidestepping the Monaco forward, who was 18 months his senior and the next youngest player on the pitch. Lewis-Skelly then delivered a piercing throughball that allowed Gabriel Jesus to set up Bukayo Saka for a simple tap-in at the back post.
All of Arsenal’s players rushed to congratulate the goal’s architect rather than the scorer, with Saka giving the youngster an extra big hug. This marked the first time an Arsenal academy player had started in this competition since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011. After a summer that saw Arsenal part ways with several players, Arteta has faced criticism for not giving youth a chance. However, he was clear before kick-off about his decision to select Lewis-Skelly over Kieran Tierney, citing the circumstances and the youngster’s impressive performances.
Lewis-Skelly’s profile on Arsenal’s website describes him as a “dynamic ball-carrying midfielder,” and he displayed his creative abilities by dominating the first half, misplacing only two of 40 passes. While he was fortunate not to receive a yellow card after a tug on Vanderson, it was noticeable that Lewis-Skelly often moved into central positions when Arsenal were in possession. This was in contrast to Thomas Partey, who was less involved. Jakub Kiwior’s long ball caught Monaco off guard, creating one of two golden chances missed by Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus has only scored once this season, leading to speculation about his future. Arteta dismissed rumors of a January departure as “nonsense,” but replacing him remains a priority. With Edu’s unexpected move to Nottingham Forest, the search for a new technical director continues. Dan Ashworth, previously linked with Manchester United, is a potential candidate due to his relationship with Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick. However, Arteta is thought to favor Roberto Olabe for the role.
Despite mounting injuries, Arsenal is unlikely to be active in the January transfer window. Ethan Nwaneri, who replaced Martin Ødegaard, is also making a case for more playing time after impressing in the EFL Cup. With a busy schedule ahead, both Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly will be crucial. Lewis-Skelly’s performance was a testament to the potential of Arsenal’s academy, proving that dreams can still come true for the next generation.
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