Bukayo Saka is convinced Myles Lewis-Skelly has a bright future ahead of him after the 18-year-old impressed in his full Champions League debut for Arsenal.
Lewis-Skelly, who like Saka is a product of the club's Hale End Academy, was thrust into the European spotlight against Monaco in the Emirates amid Arsenal's defensive crisis. But the teenager looked confident throughout and played a key pass to Gabriel Jesus for Saka to score the opening goal of his double in a 3-0 win.
Before Wednesday's match, Lewis-Skelly had made just two starts for the Gunners, both in the Carabao Cup, but got his chance ahead of Scotland international Kieran Tierney.
“His future looks very bright,” 23-year-old Saka told TNT Sports. “He just needs to keep the same head he has. His mentality is great, he always asks questions and is eager to learn.
“I just said to him, like I said to him before the game: this is his level. He should have no doubts about his confidence and what he does in training. I was happy with him, he was a big part of the first goal and I'm so proud of him.”
Lewis-Skelly was replaced by Jurrien Timber shortly after the hour. However, the defender is likely to get more opportunities, with Arteta battling injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both of whom were unavailable for the match against Monaco. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also sidelined.
The Gunners' comprehensive victory against Monaco puts them in third place in the 36-team competition, with the top eight assured of automatic qualification all the way to the last 16.
Arsenal, six points behind Liverpool, return to Premier League action against Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, before two games against Crystal Palace next week – first at home in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and then in the league at Selhurst Park .
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