'Composed': Rio Ferdinand says there's one Arsenal talent who 'pleasantly surprised' him v Spurs last night
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Arsenal have triumphed in the North London derby as they came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Gunners fell behind to Son Heung-min’s volley in the 25th minute, but they equalised in the 40th minute thanks to Dominic Solanke’s own goal following a corner.
Arsenal then went ahead just before the break when Leandro Trossard’s low effort got the better of Tottenham newcomer Antonin Kinsky.
Plenty of Arsenal players impressed on the night, including Myles Lewis-Skelly, who’s very quickly making a name for himself in the Gunners senior squad.
Rio Ferdinand, covering the game on TNT Sports, delivered his verdict on the 18-year-old defender.
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Rio Ferdinand ‘pleasantly surprised’ by Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly
Ferdinand said he was “pleasantly surprised” by Lewis-Skelly, and praised the Arsenal academy graduate’s almost care-free style of play.
“Tell you another player who I have been pleasantly surprised I think,” said Ferdinand. “Miles Lewis Skelly.
“18 years old. Composed. North London derby. I love seeing young kids come into games like this and treat it like it's any game at school.”
Fellow pundit Darren Fletcher added: “I have to say, I have not seen him have a bad game for Arsenal or have too many bad moments.”
Ferdinand also praised Lewis-Skelly for one particular moment when he intercepted a Brennan Johnson pass after lulling the Spurs man into a false sense of security.
“You know what he done there? He played like he weren’t interested,” said Ferdinand. “He played like he weren’t interested then he pounced and read the ball beautifully.”
Mikel Arteta hailed Lewis-Skelly after the game as he deemed him “unbelievable” and “phenomenal”.
The ratings Lewis-Skelly received after Arsenal’s win over Tottenham
Football.london gave Lewis-Skelly a rating of 8 out of 10 for his efforts in the North London derby.
“Every week I find myself writing more complimentary things about an 18-year-old who, despite his talent, few would have predicted he would break into the team quite like this,” he wrote.
“The confidence he possessed to hold off Spurs forwards and then beat a man before finding the right pass: excellent.”
Likewise, the Evening Standard gave Lewis-Skelly a score of 8 out of 10.
“The first 18-year-old to start a north London derby for Arsenal since Cesc Fabregas in 2005.” they began. “Looked at home on the big stage, such a talent.”
Goal.com completed a hat-tricks of 8s for Lewis-Skelly as they wrote: “A night the 18-year-old won’t ever forget, with the home fans chanting he was ‘one of their own’.
“Scarcely put a foot wrong, with his most notable discrepancy a foul throw-in during the second half. Given a standing ovation when subbed off for Zinchenko.”
