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UEFA make huge Myles Lewis-Skelly and Lamine Yamal announcement after Champions League moment

• Posted on May 7, 2025

UEFA have paid Myles Lewis-Skelly the ultimate compliment following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The 18-year-old defender impressed once again as the Gunners suffered defeat in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.

Lewis-Skelly, who made his European debut against Luis Enrique's side in the 'league phase', has now featured nine times in the competition, recording two assists. Playing a key role in Mikel Arteta's side, the Hale End graduate has helped Arsenal reach the last four.

Despite his best efforts, Lewis-Skelly couldn't drag the north Londoners to victory on Tuesday night. That said, his eye-catching display didn't go under the radar, with UEFA naming him in an all-star team of the week.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was named between the sticks, while the England international joined Denzel Dumfries, Marquinhos and Francesco Acerbi in the backline. In midfield, UEFA recognised the performances of Vitinha, Pedri and Nicolo Barella.

Up top, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha led the frontline following their goals in the respective semi-finals. Justifying Lewis-Skelly's inclusion, the UEFA Technical Observer Group noted the moment he glided past Achraf Hakimi to create a huge chance for Arsenal.

An official statement from the European football governing body reads: "The 18-year-old left-back halted both dribbles he faced and showed his own ball-carrying ability when taking the ball past Achraf Hakimi before teeing up Martinelli for Arsenal's best attempt of the first half."

On Yamal, the only player younger than Lewis-Skelly on the list, UEFA said: "'He showed us the way,' said Barça coach Hansi Flick of the irrepressible 17-year-old, who marked his 100th club appearance by scoring a stunning first-half goal, hitting the goalframe twice and taking the game to Inter, breaking the lines with his ball-carrying and feeding the ball into the box more than any other player."

Speaking on TNT Sports during Barcelona's 3-3 draw with Inter Milan, Rio Ferdinand waxed lyrical about the teenage winger. The former Manchester United defender said: "First half, we had probably one of the best seats in the house.

"We were sitting just behind where Lamine Yamal was doing his damage and just mesmerising this whole stadium. I was talking about the amount of times he impacted a sequence of play.

"Every part of his foot he was using today. The different detail, the different way he was moving his body to receive the ball. Every facet of his game was on show.

"It's the way he's taking over games for moments. It's great to see that," Ferdinand added. "When I talk about the best pure talent, he has the ability to play different ways in a football match.

"He can affect the game through just passing and being a creator, like a playmaker. He can also affect the game by running past people and eliminating players and then finishing.

"To do that I think makes him a very unique proposition..."

All the latest Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta gears up for a difficult end to the season | Source: Football London

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