Arsenal dismantled Manchester City 5-1, with 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly playing a starring role. The young left-back not only scored a crucial goal but also made headlines by mimicking Erling Haaland’s signature meditation celebration—a bold response to the Norwegian’s taunts months earlier.
The rivalry between Haaland and Lewis-Skelly dates back to September 2024, when Haaland dismissively asked the teenager, “Who the **** are you?” during a heated exchange at the Etihad Stadium. Fast forward four months, and Lewis-Skelly gave a resounding answer with his fearless display, proving he belonged on the big stage.
His standout moment came in the 63rd minute when he weaved past defenders and slotted the ball past Stefan Ortega to put Arsenal in control. As the Emirates erupted, Lewis-Skelly turned to the crowd and struck Haaland’s famous celebration pose—an act of confidence that even caught Pep Guardiola’s attention in his post-match press conference.
Haaland, clearly rattled, lashed out minutes later, shoving Lewis-Skelly in frustration and conceding a foul. His struggles were compounded by a lacklustre performance, managing just nine touches throughout the game—leading Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to criticise his lack of involvement. In contrast, Lewis-Skelly was everywhere, winning possession four times and driving his team forward with energy and purpose.
The teenager’s impact went beyond his own performance. He inspired fellow Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, who came off the bench to score in stoppage time, becoming the second-youngest player to net against a Guardiola team—only Jude Bellingham did it younger. Arsenal’s youth resurgence, reminiscent of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe’s rise, is now fuelling their title charge.
