Bukayo Saka highlights Arsenal’s rising star: ‘He has a very bright future ahead.’

Bukayo Saka has expressed his confidence in Myles Lewis-Skelly’s bright future after the 18-year-old delivered an impressive performance in his full Champions League debut for Arsenal.

Lewis-Skelly, a Hale End Academy graduate like Saka, stepped up in Arsenal’s defensive crisis to face Monaco at the Emirates. Despite his limited first-team experience—just two previous Carabao Cup starts—the teenager looked composed throughout the match. He even contributed to Arsenal’s opening goal, delivering a key pass to Gabriel Jesus, who set up Saka for the first of his two goals in a 3-0 victory.

“His future is very bright,” Saka, 23, told TNT Sports. “He just needs to maintain the same mindset he has now. His mentality is excellent—always asking questions and eager to learn. I told him before the game that this is his level. He should have no doubts about his confidence or his ability. I was proud of him; he played a big role in the first goal.”

Lewis-Skelly was substituted for Jurrien Timber after 60 minutes but is likely to get more opportunities as Arsenal deal with injuries to Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Arsenal’s convincing win over Monaco leaves them third in the Champions League standings. They will return to Premier League action against Everton on Saturday, followed by two fixtures against Crystal Palace next week: a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home and a league match at Selhurst Park.