Arsenal star defends Lewis-Skelly after viral goal celebration | OneFootball

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal celebration in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Manchester City has sparked debate, with Gabriel Martinelli defending his teammate.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Manchester City, much of the post-match discourse centred on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s celebration after scoring his first senior goal for the Gunners.

The 18-year-old, who has rapidly become one of Arsenal’s most exciting academy prospects, marked his moment by imitating Erling Haaland’s trademark meditation pose, a gesture that sparked debate among fans and pundits alike.

While some viewed it as a bold statement, others questioned whether it crossed the line into disrespect. Gabriel Martinelli, however, was quick to defend his young teammate, insisting that the celebration was not intended as a slight against the Manchester City striker.

“I don’t know if it [the celebration] was planned, but, for sure, he respects Erling a lot,” said Martinelli.

“He scored an amazing goal, and he has been brilliant recently. We are really happy for him.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

The celebration was not an isolated incident. It came amid a broader narrative of Arsenal’s growing rivalry with Manchester City, a rivalry that has intensified in recent seasons as the Gunners have emerged as genuine title contenders.

Earlier in the match, Gabriel Magalhaes had screamed in Haaland’s face after Martin Ødegaard’s opener, while Arsenal fans taunted the Norwegian striker throughout the game. Haaland, for his part, responded by pointing to the Premier League champions badge on his sleeve.

“It’s two teams that want to win the championship, so that’s a fight,” added Martinelli. “We tried our best, and they tried their best as well. We have to win duels to win these games, and that’s why the game becomes hard work. We did well, we are really happy with the result.”

For Lewis-Skelly, the celebration was another chapter in what has been a meteoric rise. The teenager, who has made 10 Premier League appearances this season, has shown a remarkable willingness to embrace the spotlight. In September, on his senior debut, he squared up to Haaland during a heated 2-2 draw at the Etihad. On Sunday, he took his audacity a step further by mimicking the City striker’s celebration.

Critics and killjoys, however, have been less forgiving. Social media was awash with comments questioning how an 18-year-old with limited experience could dare to challenge a player of Haaland’s stature, while Jamie Carragher moaned about it on Monday Night Football.

Haaland himself responded to Lewis-Skelly’s antics in September by asking, “who the f— are you?” Yet, as Martinelli’s defence of his teammate suggests, these moments are not about provoking opponents or courting controversy. They are about asserting Arsenal’s identity as a team that no longer fears its rivals.

This shift in mentality has been one of Mikel Arteta’s greatest achievements since taking charge of the club. For years, Arsenal were criticised for their perceived softness, particularly in big games.

Under Arteta, however, the Gunners have shed their inferiority complex and embraced a more combative approach. Lewis-Skelly’s emergence has only reinforced this transformation, with the teenager embodying the fearlessness that now defines Arsenal’s play. Sometimes.

The celebration of Lewis-Skelly serves as a reminder that this is a team no longer content to play second fiddle, a team that believes it can go toe-to-toe with the best and come out on top.

And for Arsenal fans, that is a reason to celebrate.