MIKEL ARTETA did not hold back in his praise for Myles Lewis-Skelly after his first Champions League start as Arsenal's latest graduate.
Lewis-Skelly showed the confidence and understanding of a player with more than a hundred appearances to his name as the Gunners beat Monaco 3-0.
Brave on the ball and playing a key role in Arsenal's first goal, it was a night he remembers fondly.
While Arteta remains concerned about the number of injuries piling up in north London, at least he now has someone he can trust at left-back.
With Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined and Jurrien Timber not yet ready to start, the 18-year-old got the nod ahead of Kieran Tierney.
Arteta praised the youngster after his Champions League debut against Monaco, saying: “A very proud moment. He is one of our own players.
“It's just a pleasure to watch him, a privilege to be able to give someone the opportunity. He took the opportunity.”
Gunners fans have gotten glimpses in the past, most notably when he was involved in a feud with Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland before he even turned 18.
But with his progress this season hampered by an infected toe, supporters had to wait a while for a good performance.
There was plenty to be excited about here, with even Bukayo Saka raving about his performance, saying: “His future looks very bright.
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“He just needs to keep the same head as he has, his mentality is top notch and he is always asking questions, looking to learn. I'm so proud of him.
“I just said to him, like I said to him before the game: this is his level.
“He should have no doubts and play with confidence.
“We see what he does in training. I was happy with him, he was a big part of the first goal.”
Despite being the youngest player to start for Arsenal in the Champions League since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011, Lewis-Skelly did not lack confidence.
Whether that was on the ball, taking possession in tight spaces and always looking forward, or telling other, much older teammates where to be.
Lewis-Skelly completed a very impressive 45 of 47 attempts, always looking to keep the pace high and with teammates not afraid to pass him the ball.
Arteta asks his wing-backs to move inside when the Gunners are in possession, and having come through the ranks as a midfielder, the teenager seems more than comfortable with that.
From this position he helped score the opener.
After sliding in alongside Declan Rice, Lewis-Skelly collected a pass from skipper Martin Odegaard.
Under pressure from Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche, the number 49 took a touch back to reel in the Frenchman before shooting forward, leaving him stranded.
England Under-19s settled down and quickly put Gabriel Jesus behind with a fine pass, from which the Brazilian set up Saka.
With the Gunners forced to dig in after the break, Arteta brought in the more experienced Timber to sort things out.
But Lewis-Skelly still left to a standing ovation – certainly not the last he will receive from Arsenal supporters.
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