Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta trains against Monaco. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Arsenal took the lead in their Champions League clash with Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night and the goal provided a dream moment for a Gunners star.
Mikel Arteta’s side have improved their results in recent weeks and came into their match with the French club knowing that a win would put them in a great position to finish in the automatic Champions League qualification positions.
There was a bit of a surprise before kick-off as the Spanish manager opted to play Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back. Arsenal continue to deal with injury problemsalthough it should not have been given Arteta has praised the left-back’s performance recently.
It didn’t take long for the 18-year-old to prove he was ready to play at Europe’s highest level as the youngster played a big part in the game’s opening goal.
Lewis-Skelly showed impressive composure before slotting a deep pass into the path of Gabriel Jesus, who would find Bukayo Saka in the Monaco box The English winger has made it 1-0.
This moment would have been a dream for the defender and will make Arsenal fans even more excited about the full-back’s potential.
Bukayo Saka with an easy finish after a brilliant pass from Gabriel Jesus ???
An incredible performance from Myles Lewis-Skelly on his first Champions League start?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GJHS03AXiD
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 11, 2024
Did Arsenal score their first goal in open play in 268 minutes?
Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up though? pic.twitter.com/vLGRwlCMNw
— CBS Sports Golazo ?? (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 11, 2024
Myles Lewis-Skelly has a great future at Arsenal
Lewis-Skelly has already featured in the Champions League for Arsenal this season after coming off the bench against PSG and Shakhtar Donetsk, but starting in the competition comes with a different level of pressure.
The youngster impressed in the first half of the Gunners’ clash with Monaco and his performance may give Arteta more confidence in him in the coming weeks.
Injuries have always provided youngsters with an opportunity to showcase their talent and often lead to the player cementing his place in the team.
Lewis-Skelly is a very exciting star and if the full-back doesn’t become a regular starter during the current campaign, it won’t be long before the left-back lines up regularly at the Emirates Stadium.
