Arsenal stunned Real Madrid with a dominant 3-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates.
The Gunners delivered an outstanding performance, leaving the Spanish giants struggling to find their rhythm.
Two spectacular free-kicks from Declan Rice and a third strike by Mikel Merino secured a commanding victory for the home side.
While Rice deservedly grabbed the headlines, several Arsenal players, including Myles Lewis-Skelly, put in impressive performances.
Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines in His Full 90-Minute Display
One of the standout performers of the night was 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played the full 90 minutes.
His performance against a star-studded Real Madrid side was exceptional.
The young Englishman, who started in the left-back position, became only the second player under the age of 18 (after Jude Bellingham) to start a Champions League quarter-final.
Lewis-Skelly’s journey this season has been nothing short of remarkable.
With 29 appearances across all competitions, he has cemented his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, even ahead of more experienced players like Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney.
Carragher’s Praise for Lewis-Skelly’s Breakthrough Performance
Following the match, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher was full of praise for Lewis-Skelly’s rise.
Carragher noted how the full-back had been exceptional not only in defence but also in attack, taking responsibility by stepping into midfield and even receiving the ball on the half-turn.
Despite being tasked with marking dangerous wingers like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Lewis-Skelly handled the challenge with maturity beyond his years.
Carragher went on to explain how young players at top clubs often find the full-back position an easier one to break into, but Lewis-Skelly had shown himself to be anything but ordinary.
Carragher remarked that the 18-year-old is already playing like one of the best players in the Arsenal squad, describing his performances as “spectacular.”
Lewis-Skelly’s Call-Up to England and Future Prospects
Lewis-Skelly’s remarkable form has not gone unnoticed on the international stage.
Last month, he earned his first call-up to the England squad under coach Thomas Tuchel.
The versatile player, who started his career as a midfielder, made an immediate impact by scoring just 20 minutes into his international debut against Albania.
Carragher also compared Lewis-Skelly’s mentality to that of former England great Wayne Rooney and current sensation Jude Bellingham.
He highlighted the young full-back’s confidence and fearlessness, drawing parallels with how Rooney played when he first joined the England squad – always believing he was the best and taking on difficult situations without hesitation.
This level of confidence at such a young age, according to Carragher, makes Lewis-Skelly “very, very special.”
Looking Ahead: Arsenal’s Busy Schedule
Arsenal’s successful outing against Real Madrid has set them up nicely for the second leg at the Bernabéu next Wednesday.
Before that, the Gunners will take on Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.
If they can maintain their form, they will be full of confidence heading into the crucial second leg of their Champions League tie.
For Myles Lewis-Skelly, the future looks incredibly bright, and his performances continue to make him one of the most exciting young talents in English football.