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Declan Rice has lauded ‘outstanding’ Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, stating that the academy star’s skills are remarkably impressive.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice couldn’t contain his admiration for his young teammate, Myles Lewis-Skelly, describing the 18-year-old as “ridiculous” and claiming it was as if he had been “built in a lab”. Rice’s comments came after Lewis-Skelly’s impressive performance in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town.
Lewis-Skelly, a product of Arsenal’s Hale End academy, has been making waves in the Premier League this season. Despite being naturally a midfielder, he has been deployed as a left-back due to injury issues within the squad. His adaptability and strong performances have not gone unnoticed, with Rice stating, “For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong – it was like he was built in a lab!”.
Rice continued to praise Lewis-Skelly’s level-headedness and the support system around him, including his family and teammates at the training ground. “He can go to the top, this kid is just special, very special,” Rice added, emphasizing the youngster’s potential to become a top player if he continues to stay focused and hungry for success.
Lewis-Skelly’s recent performances have indeed been stellar. In the match against Ipswich, he completed 58 out of 59 passes with a 98% passing accuracy, won eight out of nine ground duels, and made three tackles and two clearances. His consistency and maturity have earned him a spot in WhoScored’s Premier League Team of the Week.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, also lauded Lewis-Skelly, calling him “a special character” and noting that he is ahead of his age in terms of development. Arteta’s confidence in the young player is evident, as he continues to give him opportunities to shine despite having more experienced options on the bench.
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