Arteta says Lewis-Skelly is a ‘very rare’ player after youngster impresses again for Arsenal in win over Tottenham | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says it is “very rare to see” an 18-year-old player with the qualities of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The youngster was handed another start by Arteta at left-back, helping his team to beat north London rivals Tottenham 2-1 and close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to four points.

Lewis-Skelly impressed team-mate Declan Rice, who labelled him “unbelievable”, and won similar praise from his manager.

“18-years-old, playing against Kulusevski and Johnson, in a big London derby for the first time, to perform with that composure and that attitude, with that control emotionally, very rare to see.

“It makes everybody at the club very proud because obviously he’s been in our system for a long time and the education the academy is giving to our boys to get prepared and then we have to use them in the moment 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.

“He responds in a manner which is a joy to watch.”

Heung-Min Son had given Spurs the lead against the run of play before Gabriel’s header deflected in off Dominic Solanke to equalise and Leandro Trossard struck to put the Gunners ahead.

It followed a difficult week for Arsenal, who exited the FA Cup to Manchester United on Sunday which also followed a 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Newcastle.

But Arteta was delighted with the response from his players: “I’m very proud of the team. I think we were sensational.

“I think it was a good test after two big performances and not getting rewarded, in two different competitions.

“We had to play the biggest game of the season for our people in those conditions and it’s a test of attitude and what we’re made of, the courage that we have, how much we care about not only the result but the performance, and how much we can do in terms of what is required in the game to be better than the opposition.

“I think we played from minute one, (great) with and without the ball and I think we fully deserved to win the game.

“I think we made a lot of people very happy and especially, I’m very proud to see a team that behaves in the manner they have played today again.”