Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed again for Arsenal against Tottenham (Image: GETTY)
was full of praise for Myles Lewis-Skelly during ‘s 2-1 north London derby victory over on Wednesday night – including one moment the TNT Sports pundit felt the teenager “played like he wasn’t interested”.
The academy graduate, who only turned 18 last September, started at left-back for the highly-anticipated visit of Spurs.
He became the second youngest player ever to start a derby against Spurs in the after 17-year-old Cesc Fabregas in April 2005.
And Lewis-Skelly didn’t look out of place at any point in a big victory that came thanks to Leandro Trossard’s low strike. That was after a own goal cancelled out Son Heung-min’s opener.
Lewis-Skelly further endeared himself further to the fans by shushing the Spurs away end after the hosts made it 2-1 and then revving up the crowd on his way off the pitch late on.
Ferdinand waxed lyrical about Lewis-Skelly throughout the match including after one second-half moment when the full-back intercepted a Brennan Johnson pass after lulling the forward into a false sense of security.
The ex- defender said: “You know what he done there? He played like he weren’t interested. He played like he weren’t interested then he pounced and read the ball beautifully.”
Team-mate Declan Rice said to TNT Sports post-match: “The young boy Myles – unbelievable. For 18, he’s just ridiculous. It’s scary.
“The 18-year-olds now, they’ve got no fear whatsoever. He’s got that Moussa Dembele trait where he uses his body to get away from stuff. The personality and character, honestly he’s unbelievable.”
Lewis-Skelly is naturally a ball-carrying midfielder but has thrived as an inverting full-back. His 87-minute outing was his 15th first-team appearance of the season for the Gunners.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of Arsenal’s best players at the Emirates (Image: GETTY)
earlier this month opened talks with the breakthrough talent, who made his debut against in September, about a new contract to keep him at the club for the long term.
The England youth international signed his first professional contract in October 2023 and is in line for a major pay rise in reward for his progress.
Before the match, Ferdinand and fellow TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist also had suggestions for who should sign in the January transfer window in light of injuries to and Gabriel Jesus.
Many feel the north Londoners require a new centre-forward to win the or Champions League under this term.
And Ferdinand recommended former Real Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema, currently at Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia: “I’d go and get Benzema. I’d say, give me a six-month loan, Benzema, have that.”
McCoist instead suggested Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian No.9 currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.
The Scot said: “I’d go and get Osimhen. I’ll tell you something, he’s still been scoring goals in Turkey. His form is not what it was 18 months ago with Napoli, but I think he can get there again.”