Jamie Carragher shares Declan Rice theory on Myles Lewis-Skelly Arsenal celebrations vs Man City

Jamie Carragher, a former professional footballer turned Sky Sports pundit, has been an outspoken figure when discussing modern football players and their actions on and off the field. In particular, his comments regarding Myles Lewis-Skelly, a young defender for Arsenal, during the team’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Manchester City, have sparked considerable debate. Carragher has voiced his displeasure with Lewis-Skelly’s celebration following his brilliant goal in the game, suggesting that it was in poor taste given the context of the situation.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is just 18 years old, had an excellent performance during the match, contributing not only defensively but also on the attacking front by scoring a fantastic goal that gave Arsenal a two-goal lead. His goal came in the 60th minute, and it capped off a wonderful individual display that helped secure an important victory for the Gunners. However, it wasn’t just his goal that made headlines; it was his choice of celebration that drew the attention of both fans and pundits alike. After scoring, Lewis-Skelly performed a celebration that closely resembled the famous “meditation” gesture of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland. This celebration, which Haaland first used in response to his “stay humble” comment to Mikel Arteta earlier in the season, raised eyebrows for its perceived slight at Haaland.

The timing of the celebration seemed significant, as the two teams had drawn 2-2 earlier in the season, with Haaland making his well-publicized comment to Arteta. Haaland’s words, which suggested that Arsenal and Arteta should remain humble despite their impressive early-season form, seemed to have left a mark on the Arsenal players, and especially Lewis-Skelly, who took the opportunity to respond with a celebration that appeared to mock the Manchester City striker. For many, it was a bold and confident statement from the young defender, showing that he had a sense of humor and didn’t mind engaging in a bit of banter with one of the best strikers in the world. However, not everyone shared this view.

One of the most notable critics of Lewis-Skelly’s celebration was Jamie Carragher, who did not seem to appreciate the young defender’s antics. Carragher, known for his often blunt opinions, expressed his belief that Lewis-Skelly was not in a position to be mocking a player of Haaland’s stature. In fact, Carragher went so far as to say that he thought Lewis-Skelly was “overstepping” by performing the celebration. According to Carragher, a player of Haaland’s caliber, someone who has scored over 250 goals and won numerous trophies in his career, should not be the subject of a joke from a player like Lewis-Skelly, who is still in the early stages of his professional career.

Carragher’s criticism was based not only on the specific incident but also on a broader concern about the attitude of young players in modern football. He argued that players like Lewis-Skelly, who have yet to achieve anything close to what Haaland has accomplished, should show more respect for the established stars of the game. He also expressed the opinion that if he were a senior player at Liverpool, he would have pulled a young player aside and told them not to get involved in such antics. Carragher’s point was that while confidence and self-belief are important for young players, they should also remain grounded and aware of their place in the pecking order.

This perspective was shared by former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara, who also weighed in on the situation. O’Hara acknowledged that while he liked a bit of banter and back-and-forth between players, he felt that it was inappropriate for someone like Lewis-Skelly to be performing a celebration in Haaland’s honor. O’Hara agreed with Carragher that Lewis-Skelly had not yet reached Haaland’s level and, therefore, should not be mocking him. However, O’Hara also pointed out that the celebration itself wasn’t all that serious and shouldn’t be blown out of proportion. He believed that it was simply a moment of joy and excitement for a young player who had just scored an important goal in a big match. O’Hara’s view was more lenient, suggesting that while Lewis-Skelly might have been overzealous, the celebration was part of the fun and passion of football. In the end, he felt it wasn’t as big of a deal as some were making it out to be.

Despite the criticism from Carragher and O’Hara, the celebration was largely embraced by the Arsenal fans, who were delighted with their team’s dominant performance against one of their biggest rivals. Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Manchester City was a statement victory, and Lewis-Skelly’s goal was a key moment in the match. Fans on social media praised the young defender for his confidence and for standing up to a player like Haaland, who is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Many saw the celebration as a sign that Lewis-Skelly was not intimidated by the occasion or the opposition and was ready to make his mark in the Premier League. For the Arsenal supporters, it was a symbol of the club’s growing ambition and the rising stars who were coming through the ranks.

Interestingly, Carragher’s comments also included a suggestion that Declan Rice, another key Arsenal player, may have been unhappy with Lewis-Skelly’s celebration. According to Carragher, Rice, who is an experienced player and a leader in the Arsenal dressing room, would have been disappointed with the young defender’s show of arrogance. Carragher speculated that Rice may have felt that Lewis-Skelly was being overly showy and that, as a senior player, Rice would have expected the teenager to show more restraint. However, this was purely speculation, as there was no direct comment from Rice on the matter. Regardless, Carragher’s point was that the young players in the team needed to be careful about how they conducted themselves, especially when playing against top-tier players like Haaland.

On the other hand, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, took a more positive approach to the situation. While he was asked about Lewis-Skelly’s celebration in his post-match interview, Arteta refused to focus on it and instead praised the young player for his overall performance. Arteta was keen to highlight the contributions of Lewis-Skelly on the field, noting that the defender had been performing well in training and had shown his quality during the match. Arteta pointed out that Lewis-Skelly’s goal was an important moment, and the way he took his chance showed his potential and his ability to make a difference in key moments.

Arteta’s comments were in line with his usual approach to managing young players. He has been a strong advocate for nurturing and developing young talent, and his faith in Lewis-Skelly is evident. The young defender, who came through the Hale End academy, has been slowly integrated into the first team, and his performance against Manchester City was another sign that he could be a key figure for the future of Arsenal. Arteta’s focus on the positive aspects of Lewis-Skelly’s performance reflects his belief in the importance of giving young players the confidence to express themselves on the pitch, without being overly concerned about external criticism.

After the match, the focus shifted back to the importance of the result itself. Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City was a significant one, as it solidified their place near the top of the Premier League table and provided a much-needed boost to their title aspirations. The win was a testament to the team’s resilience and their ability to perform in high-pressure situations. For many Arsenal fans, the performance of Lewis-Skelly was just one of many positives to take away from the match. His goal and his overall contribution were seen as a sign that Arsenal’s future was in good hands, with a promising crop of young players ready to step up and make an impact.

In conclusion, the debate surrounding Myles Lewis-Skelly’s celebration against Manchester City reflects the tensions that can arise between the exuberance of youth and the experience of established players. While some, like Carragher and O’Hara, believe that Lewis-Skelly should show more humility and respect for players like Haaland, others feel that the celebration was simply a natural expression of joy and confidence. Ultimately, the focus should be on the performance of the young defender, who showcased his talent and potential in a big game. As Arsenal continue their push for the Premier League title, it is clear that players like Lewis-Skelly will play an important role in the team’s success, and their confidence and determination will be key to achieving their goals. Whether it’s through goals, assists, or memorable celebrations, the future looks bright for Arsenal and their rising stars.