Emmanuel Adebayor has warned Myles Lewis-Skelly not to let his confidence lead him down the wrong path after his superb display in last night’s north London derby.
The Hale End academy graduate delivered arguably his most complete performance of the season as the Gunners got their title challenge back on track with a much needed 2-1 win.
Having appeared to have usurped summer signing Riccardo Calafiori as Mikel Arteta’s first choice left-back, the teenager is already close to achieving a cult hero status with fans who delighted in his antics as he left the pitch to a standing ovation last night.
Substituted during the closing stages, the 18-year-old confronted Richarlison and Brennan Johnson before shushing the away support who were antagonised by his goading.
Praising the youngster’s maturity, Mikel Arteta said after the game: ‘I think it’s very rare to see 18-year-olds playing against Kulusevski and Johnson in a big London derby for the first time to perform with that composure, attitude and that control emotionally. It’s very rare to see.
‘I think it makes everybody at the club very proud because he’s been in our system for a long time and we know the kind of education that the academy is giving to our boys to get prepared.
‘We have to pick them at the moment that we believe they are ready, and with him, it was very, very early and in a different position because he’s never played as a full-back before, but he responds in the manner that he’s on, which is a enjoy to watch.’
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
Clearly still in high spirits after playing such a key role in a win that moved Arsenal to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool, Lewis-Skelly struggled to hide his delight during a wholesome interview with club legend Ian Wright.
‘I’m feeling every emotion possible; I’m on cloud nine!’ he expressed post-match. ‘I was a kid watching the derbies and know how much it means to the fans, it’s everything. To experience it today, I can’t stop smiling.
‘This game means more. I prepare the same, but it’s the feeling going into the game with the fans. You’ve got to give it everything and more.
‘I’m happy I helped the team. The most important thing was getting the three points, building momentum and I’m happy with how I played.’
Adebayor, who represented both clubs during his playing career, meanwhile, sounded a note of caution for the youngster who will be hoping to keep his place for Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.
‘That’s beautiful when we’re young it’s all you dream about to be part of these big games,’ Adebayor told Premier League productions after watching the conversation between club legend Wright and Arsenal’s latest youth product.
‘When I was in Monaco I wanted to play against Paris Saint-Germain because there were players like Jay-Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho. When I moved to England you were playing the derby and you just wake up, you’re buzzing, your family members call you from Africa, you have to be ready.
‘For him to be buzzing like that is beautiful to see but the most beautiful thing is to see how confident he is in his head he just wants to have fun. Hopefully we see him have a long run in the team, he has a lot of potential.
‘He just has to keep learning, keep training every day. Confidence is one thing but don’t let it lead you in the wrong way.
‘You have to focus, you have to learn from the other players like Thomas Partey, Ben White.
‘He has to keep learning. He’s a young lad, for him to have a better career, a long career he has to learn. The confidence is beautiful but we still have to learn.’