Following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City, Myles Lewis-Skelly took a covert jab at Erling Haaland on Instagram.
Lewis-Skelly made his Premier League debut as a second-half substitute at the Etihad Stadium, capping off an exciting afternoon.
Just minutes before making his Premier League debut, he was booked for rushing behind the goal to give goalkeeper David Raya tactical instructions. This made him the first player in Premier League history to “achieve” the feat.
The 17-year-old was cautioned for ‘a lack of respect for the game,’ which is included under the Laws of the Game’s ‘unsporting behaviour’ section, PGMOL subsequently revealed.
Near the end of regulation time, Lewis-Skelly challenged Haland for shoving Thomas Partey off the ball, which resulted in another flashpoint.
After the game, Lewis-Skelly took to Instagram to share his reflections on his debut and the progress he has made since enlisting in the Arsenal academy at the age of nine.
However, what drew Gunners supporters’ attention was what was written in the comments area.
One of the replies to his post read: “Can’t wait for you to score the winner against City at the Emirates and run over to Haaland asking him who the —- he is.”
Facebook: @myleslewisskelly
The youthful midfield player for Arsenal, who hopes to be playing frequently by the time of the rematch in February, found the comment amusing.
Lewis-Skelly has received a lot of praise from Arsenal U18 boss Jack Wilshere, who has spoken highly of the 16-year-old’s performance versus City in the FA Youth Cup semifinal in 2023.
He gave an explanation, saying, “Myles Lewis-Skelly’s header in the Youth Cup semi-final is one moment that really stands out for me.”
“Being an under-16 [at the time], he was enrolled in a hybrid training program while completing his GCSEs at school.
Thus, it was amazing to have a moment like that in the 120th minute when you don’t really train much, you’re still a lad, and your lungs are still baby-like. I find something quite endearing about him.”
Concerning video from the mixed zone within the stadium surfaced online on Sunday, when Arsenal goalie David Raya was seen hobbling as he exited the Etihad Stadium.
In the Gunners’ 2-2 tie with Manchester City, Raya made a total of nine saves and had a significant impact on the game.
Little, though, could be done as Pep Guardiola’s team’s John Stones scored an injury-time equalizer to deny Arsenal a historic triumph at the home of their bitter rivals for the title.
The former Brentford player was in outstanding form the whole game, even though his team had to play the second half with just 10 men.
But Raya appeared to be recovering from an injury when he was seen on camera leaving the stadium after the game, going past reporters as he did so.
In a video filmed by MailSport, the 29-year-old was seen carefully moving while wearing a bandage over his right knee.
The video, which shows the player refusing to talk to the media after the game, will worry Arsenal fans.
It’s unclear if Raya has sustained an injury, which would put Arteta in a difficult situation given that the team traded Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton in the summer.
In the Carabao Cup, Arsenal’s next opponent is Bolton Wanderers. It is unclear if manager Arteta will decide to rotate his team.
Despite having played for the Cherries previously, Neto, who arrived from Bournemouth in the summer, is not allowed to participate in the competition.
Following the game, Arteta said he was pleased with his team’s resilient performance against the defending Premier League winners.
In his press conference following the game, Arteta stated, “We had a very difficult start in the first 10-15 minutes.”
We were never in control of the game because we were having trouble controlling specific areas and lacked the mobility to exit the opening 25 to 30 meters of the pitch.
“After that, we were lot more proficient because we could see what needed to be done.
“It’s true that for 56 minutes, we were put in an almost impossible situation, but despite that, we managed to adjust as best we could, and the team’s performance was just amazing. I’m really happy with the team.
“It’s impossible to put yourself in a more challenging situation against that caliber of opponent and the manner we managed that.” I’m incredibly happy.”