After playing a starring role in his first-ever north London derby, Myles Lewis-Skelly admitted that he couldn’t wipe the smile from his face after tasting victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
The 18-year-old was a contender for man of the match in our 2-1 win, flying into challenges, winning the ball regularly, charging upfield to start attacks and not backing down when Spurs tried to intimidate him as they pressed for an equaliser.
What made his performance even more impressive was that Myles became the second-youngest Arsenal player to feature in a Premier League NLD, behind only Cesc Fabregas. Having come through our youth academy from the age of eight, he admitted he knew the significance of the game and was delighted to deliver when it mattered most to make his fellow supporters happy.
“I’m feeling every emotion possible; I’m on cloud nine!” he expressed post-match. “I was a kid watching the derbies and know how much it means to the fans, it’s everything. To experience it today, I can’t stop smiling.
“This game means more. I prepare the same, but it’s the feeling going into the game with the fans. You’ve got to give it everything and more.
“I’m happy I helped the team. The most important thing was getting the three points, building momentum and I’m happy with how I played.”
After suffering the setback of going behind, two goals in the space of four minutes just before half-time turned the game on its head, and set the platform to extend our unbeaten home run over Spurs which is now 14 years and counting.
With the game played amidst a ferocious atmosphere and to a nail-biting conclusion, Myles was able to keep his head throughout, although he revealed that he could feel the swings in momentum as the points headed from our rivals and into our pockets, and give us a boost heading into Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.
“You feel some kind of momentum not on your side, and sometimes we have it,” he said. “But it’s important that as a team we stay together, and we hold each other accountable in these moments.
“We just had to hang on and make sure that we keep doing our basics well, keep communicating. We needed the fans in the last moments and they did that, so we’re grateful.
“We’re buzzing now, ready to go on and kick on now so good team morale. Thank you to Mikel for giving me the chance again, so I’m grateful. Onto the next one!”
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