Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Manchester City sent shockwaves through the Premier League, and one player stole the headlines—18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly. The Hale End graduate delivered a standout performance, earning high praise from Gary Neville, who compared him to his former Manchester United teammate, Patrice Evra.
Lewis-Skelly’s journey has been nothing short of meteoric. Just six months ago, he was on the fringes of Arsenal’s first team. Now, he’s a regular starter, thriving alongside fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri. His latest performance, in front of a jubilant Emirates crowd, showcased his immense potential.
The match saw City briefly level through Erling Haaland after Martin Ødegaard’s opener. However, Arsenal responded with a dominant second-half display, with goals from Thomas Partey, Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Nwaneri sealing a statement victory. Lewis-Skelly’s 62nd-minute goal—his first in senior football—was particularly special, as he cheekily mimicked Haaland’s trademark celebration in response to their heated clash earlier in the season.
Speaking on the It’s Called Soccer podcast, Neville marveled at Arsenal’s ability to dismantle City, describing their collapse as unprecedented under Pep Guardiola. He also defended Lewis-Skelly’s celebration, dismissing criticism from pundits like Joe Cole and Jason Cundy.
“I didn’t think much of it,” Neville said. “It looked like something planned with the squad. But what did bother me was Gabriel [Magalhães] screaming in Haaland’s face—that was unnecessary.”
Neville initially compared Lewis-Skelly to Arsenal legend Ashley Cole but later revised his view. “The way he moves with the ball reminds me exactly of Patrice Evra,” he explained. “Evra would take the ball on the half-turn, ride challenges, and glide past defenders. Lewis-Skelly does the same, especially when underlapping into those left-side spaces.”
The victory extends Arsenal’s lead over City to nine points, strengthening their title credentials. With momentum on their side, Mikel Arteta’s men will aim to continue their fine form when they face Leicester City next weekend.
As Lewis-Skelly continues to shine, comparisons to legends like Evra and Cole suggest Arsenal have unearthed a future superstar.