Saka helping Arsenal starlet Lewis-Skelly shine after first-team breakthrough | OneFootball

Myles Lewis-Skelly has pinpointed Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka as a key teammate who keeps him grounded following his sudden rise.

Mikel Arteta has thrust the 18-year-old into the limelight this season, giving him his senior debut for the club in September in the 2–2 draw away at Manchester City.

His performance in the 3-0 win over Monaco in the Champions League earned rave reviews, and after another substitute appearance in the Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace, the midfielder-turned-full-back is enjoying his time on the pitch.

Along with his family, Saka – having gone through the academy graduate path himself – has been on hand to help Lewis-Skelly along the way.

“My mum and my family keep me grounded. They help me a lot with that. But, Bakayo coming through, he knows what it’s like to get all the attention. So you’ve got to keep your feet on the ground, keep your mind focused.”

The teenager also reserved praise to midfielders Jorginho and Martin Ødegaard for their influence as he made the transition from youth to first team: “Jorginho’s helped me a lot. He’s so experienced, Martin’s helped me a lot as captain, a great role model to live up to and [explain] things about the game tactically.”

In his newfound position at left back, Lewis-Skelly was also quick to show appreciation to teammate Kieran Tierney, who he replaced on 70 minutes in the 3-2 win at Emirates Stadium.

“KT is a great defender,” he said. “His recovery runs are top. I tell him all the time that I take bits from his game and his crossing into the box is exceptional. He’s a natural left back, I’m not a natural left back, but I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Arsenal’s win was two days short of Arteta’s five-year anniversary at the club, and despite only just coming into the first team picture, the culture created by the Spaniard has not gone unnoticed by the youngster.

“It’s incredible. The culture he’s built with the team. You can just sense around the ground the energy is always high. Positive vibes and it’s been so easy it’s been such a good transition for me and pretty smooth.

“He’s helped me a lot just within how to help the team out and how to be a better person myself.”

With victory Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, and Lewis-Skelly has laid down his side’s intentions this season: “We aim to be winning trophies this season, so that’s our goal.

“We want to strive to win and you have to be in competitions to win, so we’re happy about that.”