Mikel Arteta has given his verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly's celebration following his goal against Manchester City after the Arsenal start copied Erling Haaland's celebration.
The 18-year-old continued his impressive rise up the ranks at the Emirates as he was picked to start the game against the champions on Sunday, which Arsenal needed to win to stay within six points of Liverpool.
Arteta's side did that in devastating fashion, with the Gunners putting five past their rivals to maintain their hopes of catching leaders Liverpool.
After Martin Odegaard had scored the opener, Haaland levelled things up, getting in front of William Saliba to head into the back of the net. The lead lasted mere minutes though, as Arsenal scored four more goals.
Among those goals were Lewis-Skelly, who scored just after the hour mark to make it 3-1 to his side. After doing so, he lowered himself to the floor and performed Haaland's iconic celebration.
While the move has split opinion, Arteta, speaking prior to his side's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg tie with Newcastle, has given his take on the matter.
‘Playing at home or away is very, very different,’ he said. ‘We talk about those things and we have to understand that each ground is different, their attitude, what they celebrate and what they don’t, is really very different up north as well to here in London.
'It’s part of the context of the game.'
Lewis-Skelly, meanwhile, is in line for an England promotion after his run of good form for Arsenal.
As Mail Sport revealed in January, the teenager has caught the eye of England scouts following his breakthrough year at the Emirates.
And his rapid rise is set to result in Lewis-Skelly advancing through the England system when international football resumes in March.
Sources are not ruling out a call-up for the youngster into Thomas Tuchel’s first squad selection for next month’s matches against Albania and Latvia, particularly given the national team’s clear problems at left back.
Failing that, Lewis-Skelly will earn his first-call up into the England Under-21s ahead of his expected promotion into the senior set-up.
The next international break starts on the week of March 17 and will be Tuchel's first since taking over from Gareth Southgate and then Lee Carsley.
Lewis-Skelly's mocking of Haaland came after the Man City forward frustrated Arsenal with a 'stay humble' jibe when the two sides met earlier this year. He has also clashed with defender Gabriel on more than one occasion.
Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, revealed on Sky Sports that he felt Lewis-Skelly should somewhat know is place when it comes to Haaland.
'I said about have football arrogance on the pitch and I loved it,' Carragher said'. 'I didn't like this because he's a young player mimicking Haaland, taking the mick.
'I know what Haaland said but he's a young player and we all get carried away as young players. It's a huge moment for him.'
Pehablostu
0
I disagree with everybody that says Lewis-Skelly shouldn't have mimicked Haaland in celebrating his goal against City. You can't separate football from emotions and players aren't immune from it regardless of their age or experience. For me, what Skelly dud proved he's not a boy. It shows the character he's got and this is what Arsenal‘s players have been lacking over the years. We witnessed how the likes of Didier Drogba would bully Arsenal defense and score goals at will, but today we have Saliba and Gabriel that can stand off against any beast. Adding academy players like Lewis-Kelly to the growing list of players with man character in the squad is a good thing for Arsenal. It's not pride and neither it is sheer disrespect or arrogance, it's purely a young lad's way of enjoying the moment in a big game and pundits and fans alike should understand and protect the boy other than attempt to destroy him.
I wish this pundits will get to see this post you have a point mate🙏✅
Santino_024
0
Muck your elders to win no trophies 🏆 Newcastle is going to trash you tonight
Stop playing 😂😂😂
hekbcdmory
0
Is mimicking someone's style a sin ? I have many mimicking Ronaldo's gesture why are there not question?
lbcrna
0
Meanwhile, some things are indeed "thicker......" 👌
[image]
knackinically speaking
Layabors
0
I disagree with everybody that says Lewis-Skelly shouldn't have mimicked Haaland in celebrating his goal against City. You can't separate football from emotions and players aren't immune from it regardless of their age or experience. For me, what Skelly dud proved he's not a boy. It shows the character he's got and this is what Arsenal‘s players have been lacking over the years. We witnessed how the likes of Didier Drogba would bully Arsenal defense and score goals at will, but today we have Saliba and Gabriel that can stand off against any beast. Adding academy players like Lewis-Kelly to the growing list of players with man character in the squad is a good thing for Arsenal. It's not pride and neither it is sheer disrespect or arrogance, it's purely a young lad's way of enjoying the moment in a big game and pundits and fans alike should understand and protect the boy other than attempt to destroy him.
I concur. Good talk.
Focabilruz
1
replay for arsenal
AFerusmc6546
0
haaland also stay humble
Go win ucl
vusamavu1
0
I disagree with everybody that says Lewis-Skelly shouldn't have mimicked Haaland in celebrating his goal against City. You can't separate football from emotions and players aren't immune from it regardless of their age or experience. For me, what Skelly dud proved he's not a boy. It shows the character he's got and this is what Arsenal‘s players have been lacking over the years. We witnessed how the likes of Didier Drogba would bully Arsenal defense and score goals at will, but today we have Saliba and Gabriel that can stand off against any beast. Adding academy players like Lewis-Kelly to the growing list of players with man character in the squad is a good thing for Arsenal. It's not pride and neither it is sheer disrespect or arrogance, it's purely a young lad's way of enjoying the moment in a big game and pundits and fans alike should understand and protect the boy other than attempt to destroy him.
well said!♥️👌
Zeediklpyz
0
Muck your elders to win no trophies 🏆 Newcastle is going to trash you tonight
otunbasorun
1
Lewis Skelly if you get to read this, Aresnal fans got your back.
akiamo
0
Meanwhile, some things are indeed "thicker......" 👌
Yohkwabs
7
I disagree with everybody that says Lewis-Skelly shouldn't have mimicked Haaland in celebrating his goal against City. You can't separate football from emotions and players aren't immune from it regardless of their age or experience. For me, what Skelly dud proved he's not a boy. It shows the character he's got and this is what Arsenal‘s players have been lacking over the years. We witnessed how the likes of Didier Drogba would bully Arsenal defense and score goals at will, but today we have Saliba and Gabriel that can stand off against any beast. Adding academy players like Lewis-Kelly to the growing list of players with man character in the squad is a good thing for Arsenal. It's not pride and neither it is sheer disrespect or arrogance, it's purely a young lad's way of enjoying the moment in a big game and pundits and fans alike should understand and protect the boy other than attempt to destroy him.
Lilshomyzilla
0
since man city bad form,let say down fall we don't hear about the 115 charges.the lesson when you are big and successful people will look for your down fall.
true brother true
smith42577
3
since man city bad form,let say down fall we don't hear about the 115 charges.the lesson when you are big and successful people will look for your down fall.
bamadiloty
2
Halaad stay humble and cut off your hair 🤣🤣🤣 ladies will buy it 🤣🤣🤣
bamadiloty
0
This boy must not go to the national team yet please, that will damage him, look at Mainoo, they took him there very early and now see his form and injuries
mapbcelt
0
also, nobody here understands what 'humble' means. none of the players involved here are humble lol
cacckmrstu
0
haaland also stay humble
stay humble is not a premier league title you people should think about title every year title race at the end of the season no title and I know this there will be no title
mapbcelt
0
arteta knows his players get too emotional too quickly, he's told them to stop it. be humble? be professional lol
nopaciptuz
0
give maruti zen to both of them
MUTINDO
2
Whoever thinks to attack arsenal, you should stay humble.. We won't let you go with it... Gunners For Life ❤️🤍🔥🔥
foabdeprty
0
haaland also stay humble
which ucl
Wedaklmru
0
psg also do that to this arrogant hahaland
yeah when he was 17😂
Wekkrsty
1
Carragher stay humble, who cares about Haaland.
Kesadlor
3
psg also do that to this arrogant hahaland
Blaqpablo
1
haaland also stay humble
He will stay humble when arsenal won the UCL
Faruq_5
0
haaland also stay humble
this boy is a very good boy
Faruq_5
1
haaland also stay humble