Marcia Lewis was London’s proudest mum as she watched her son Myles make his Champions League debut for Arsenal – and her reaction speaks 1,000 words.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was introduced as a stoppage-time substitute for Bukayo Saka in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over PSG, almost a year on from signing his first professional deal.
The 18-year-old made his Premier League debut in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in September and Mikel Arteta handed him his chance on Europe’s biggest stage at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
Heartwarming footage shows mother Marcia shaking her head in disbelief when Saka’s replacement was being announced, unable to fathom that it might be her son.
Moments later, she lets out a delighted scream and covers her mouth before tapping loved ones as she sees her son’s name announced on the big screen.
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s mum, Marcia, could not contain her excitement as he made his Champions League debut
She was overcome with joy as her 18-year-old replaced Bukayo Saka against PSG
Lewis-Skelly (right) came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 win over PSG at the Emirates
She is lost her words and continues screaming with joy before turning to embrace a loved one.
As her son’s name is read out, Marcia claps enthusiastically and stands out with her arms in the air to mark a special moment for the family.
‘Oh my God’ are the only words she can muster in a tear-jerking video.
It has been a whirlwind fortnight for Lewis-Skelly, who was born in Islington and joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at under-nines level.
The midfielder was actually booked on the sidelines before coming on for his Premier League debut at the Etihad.
Footage obtained exclusively by Mail Sport appeared to show him being sent to communicate with David Raya, who soon after went down and seemed to be timewasting.
The PGMOL confirmed that Lewis-Skelly had been carded for ‘showing a lack of respect for the game’.
Manager Arteta has been full of praise, saying recently: ‘He is a competitor.
Lewis-Skelly made his Premier League debut for Arsenal in the 2-2 draw at Man City
The 18-year-old was shown his first Premier League yellow card before coming on
Footage obtained by Mail Sport appears to show the teenager speaking to David Raya
Raya then went to the ground with an apparent injury, halting proceedings at the Etihad
‘You look at him, in every duel he goes, the way he reacts with his team-mates, you speak to him it’s constantly eye contact. He’s nudging, he’s asking questions, it’s a special character.
‘He can play in three positions basically, as a left back, as a No6, as a No8, he’s very versatile. He adapts, from there he can occupy different spaces.
‘He’s very adaptable, that’s the good thing about Myles – he’s very intelligent, very thorough. He has some unbelievable questions every time you ask him to do something, and he has the competitive edge which I think is demanded at this level. And he really wants it, so we are going to use him in different positions.
