Arsenal’s victory over Real Madrid was the greatest night at Emirates Stadium since they beat Barcelona in north London 14 years ago.
On that night, Jack Wilshere stole the show by delivering a performance that was arguably the best of his career.
Up against the famous midfield of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Xavi, a 19-year-old Wilshere starred to make a mockery of Pep Guardiola’s suggestion that Barcelona’s B team was full of players like him.
On Tuesday, it was Myles Lewis-Skelly’s turn to announce himself on the big stage in a manner that brought back memories of Wilshere’s performance against Barcelona.
Despite being only the second English player to start a Champions League quarter-final aged 18 or younger, Lewis-Skelly was not overawed.
In fact, the biggest compliment you could pay him is that he played this match against Real Madrid as if it were any other game.
Tucking into midfield from left-back, Lewis-Skelly was brave on the ball and brushed off players with ease.
He finished the game having won all his tackles and misplacing just three of his 57 passes. He completed all his dribbles, made two key passes and even set up Mikel Merino for the third goal.
If Declan Rice had morphed into David Beckham for the night, then Lewis-Skelly could have been man of the match.
This was a memorable night for Lewis-Skelly and it was fitting that he emulated Wilshere given the pair worked together.
Wilshere coached Lewis-Skelly at Under-18 level and is one of the biggest influences on his style of play.
Myles Lewis-Skelly vs. Real Madrid:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 8, 2025
100% tackles won
100% dribbles completed
95% pass accuracy
4 duels won
2 key passes
1 clean sheet
1 assist
He made his senior debut for Arsenal in September 😳 pic.twitter.com/k0Pa5CKh1H
That can be seen in the way Lewis-Skelly drives forward with the ball, but even so Wilshere has admitted the teenager does things you simply cannot coach.
What a player Arsenal have on their hands and what a season he has had.
Before September, Lewis-Skelly had not even made his senior debut. Since then, he has scored his first goal for Arsenal against Manchester City, made his England debut and now starred in a historic victory over Real Madrid.
The teenager feels like a player with the world at his feet and he has the personality to go with the talent.
On his debut, Lewis-Skelly squared up to Erling Haaland and months later mimicked his celebration after scoring.
On Tuesday, it was Jude Bellingham who Lewis-Skelly took aim at, telling him to get up off the floor when the Real Madrid midfielder had tried to claim the left-back had stamped on him.
Lewis-Skelly has said this season how he fears no one and his performance against Real Madrid was proof of that.
He will now be relishing a trip to the Bernabeu next week - and you’d back him to shine there, too.
