In a fiery clash on Sunday night, Arsenal demolished Manchester City 5-1 at the Emirates, and while the game left fans thrilled, it was a moment of celebration from Myles Lewis-Skelly that caught the attention of many, including pundit Jamie Carragher.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Celebration Draws Mixed Reactions
After scoring, Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland’s signature goal celebration, a move that many fans felt was a direct jab at the Norwegian forward.
Haaland had previously taunted the young Arsenal player earlier in the season, and this moment seemed like a response.
While some, like Chris Sutton, saw the humor in the young player’s celebration, Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, didn’t appreciate the gesture.
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, Carragher explained his disappointment with the celebration, emphasizing that while football is full of bravado, mimicking Haaland in this way was disrespectful, especially coming from a young player.
Carragher Emphasizes the Role of Senior Players in Guiding Youth
Carragher also highlighted the leadership shown by Declan Rice, who was seen urging Lewis-Skelly to get back into position during the celebrations.
The Sky Sports pundit praised Rice for taking responsibility and providing guidance, something he believes senior players should always do with younger teammates.
“Senior players like Declan Rice should be setting an example,” Carragher noted.
“While it’s understandable that young players get caught up in the excitement, it’s important for the manager and senior players to step in and keep things in check.”
Haaland’s Father Responds to Arsenal’s Post, Mocking Their Trophy Cabinet
The drama didn’t stop with Carragher’s comments.
After the match, Arsenal’s official social media account posted a picture of Lewis-Skelly’s celebration with the caption, “This Team.”
Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, wasn’t shy in replying, posting a comment that seemed to mock Arsenal’s recent lack of silverware, writing, “This Team that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not.”
Alfie’s comment was a nod to Arsenal’s near-misses in recent title races against Manchester City, where they fell short despite strong performances.
Arsenal’s Stellar Performance and Lewis-Skelly’s Standing Ovation
Despite the off-pitch drama, it was an exceptional night for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Lewis-Skelly’s goal, which helped Arsenal to a 3-1 lead, was a thing of beauty.
Cutting inside before unleashing a shot that deflected off the post and into the net, the 18-year-old showed his promise.
After being substituted in the 90th minute, Lewis-Skelly received a standing ovation from the Arsenal fans, a sign of appreciation for his performance on a night when Arsenal cruised to a dominant 5-1 win.
Kai Havertz and Ethan Nwaneri added to the scoreline as the Gunners showed their strength.
Previous Tensions Between Lewis-Skelly and Haaland
This wasn’t the first time Lewis-Skelly and Haaland had clashed.
Earlier in the season, after a 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, tensions between the two players boiled over, setting the stage for Sunday’s fiery match.
The incident has added more fuel to the rivalry between the two clubs.