Bukayo Saka has lifted the lid on his conversation with Myles Lewis-Skelly before the youngster’s outstanding performance in Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Monaco in the Champions League.
Saka scored twice and second-half substitute Kai Havertz struck late on at a bouncing Emirates as the Gunners further strengthened their hopes of progression into the knockout phase.
Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent months, emerging from Arsenal’s Hale End academy to establish himself as a regular in Mikel Arteta’s first-team squads this season.
On Wednesday night, the 18-year-old was handed only his second start for his boyhood club and he more than repaid his manager’s faith, combining brilliantly with Gabriel Jesus to help set up Saka’s 34th-minute opener.
The England Under-19 international, who played at left-back against Arsenal’s French opposition, will also have been delighted to have contributed towards a clean sheet before being replaced by Jurrien Timber in the second half.
‘I just said to him that this is his level, he needs to have no doubts, play the game and have the confidence,’ Saka told TNT Sports shortly after Arsenal’s win – their fourth from six games in Europe’s premier competition.
‘We see what he’s doing in training. We are pleased for him and he played a key part in the first goal. He just needs to keep going. I’m just so proud of him.’
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, a ‘proud’ Lewis-Skelly thanked everyone who had helped up up until that point.
‘I’m proud of myself,’ he said.
‘I believe in myself but I’ve come a long way. I want to thank everyone for this opportunity. Hopefully this is the first of many.’
On the role he played in Saka’s first goal, Lewis-Skelly added: ‘I saw the ball getting switched from Martin [Odegaard].
‘I was getting pressed and I just thought, “Keep calm”, and take the ball away from the man.
‘I saw Gabi [Jesus] pulling off and played him through and then great finish from Bukayo. He’s always there.’
Lewis-Skelly said he had ‘learned a lot’ from Saka who, of course, understands the teen’s situation after graduating from Arsenal’s youth ranks to star for the first-team.
‘Looking up to Bukayo, he has that mindset, he has everything,’ he added.
‘I’ve learned a lot from him and I want to keep learning.’
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