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This week's column as Arsenal linked with Ajax wonderkid again and prepare for Saka's comeback...
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s England success was a joy to watch - new Arsenal contract next!
I’ll be honest, I can’t remember cheering an England goal scored outside of a major tournament as much as I did when Myles Lewis-Skelly scored against Albania the other other day.
What a moment that was for him. Just another to add to the long list he has enjoyed throughout what has been a remarkable season of firsts for Arsenal’s prodigious teenager.
It was just really special to see him tuck away that finish and then run off to celebrate in front of the fans. You could see in his face what it meant to him.
And it was particularly pleasing given all the rubbish that had been posted about him on social media leading up to the game, with much of it coming from supposed England ‘fans’ who seemed to take exception to the fact he was pictured smiling as he walked into St George’s Park to link up with the senior squad for the first time.
I mean, how dare he smile?? Clearly, that warranted all the abuse that followed in the comments under the picture that was posted by England’s official X account…..
The reaction was just so ridiculous and it was really sad to see, but the good thing is Lewis-Skelly is such a level headed young man with such a strong support network around him that I knew it wouldn’t bother him.
And given the way he played against Albania and also against Latvia he just brushed it all aside with ease.
He’s now the youngest ever player to score on his senior England debut. What a perfect way to shut up all the social media idiots out there.
As I said, Lewis-Skelly is known as such a level headed person. Anyone you talk to at Arsenal will tell you that.
His family have played and continue to play a huge role in how he is managed off the pitch and that has all contributed to the sensible head he has on his shoulders.
Arsenal are very proud of him and how he has developed, although I’m sure almost everyone will still be quite surprised with how comfortably he has dealt with everything that has been thrown at him this season.
He still obviously has lots to learn and there will be plenty of bumps in the road, but we’ve seen this season that he can hold his own at any level, whether that be the Premier League, Champions League or on the international stage.
His rise has been rapid and he will inevitably have to be rewarded with a new contract. It’s something Arsenal are very aware of.
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