Arsenal have reached the Champions League final for the first time in 20 years and Mikel Arteta deserves a flower. The Spanish manager secured a place in the set-up and starting XI as the Gunners won the second leg 1-0 against Atletico Madrid and booked a trip to Budapest later this month. Arsenal are aiming to win the European Cup for the first time in their history. They will face either holders Paris Saint-Germain or six-time champions Bayern Munich at the Puskas Arena.
And Arteta’s decision to stick with the same team that beat Fulham in the Premier League last weekend has paid dividends. Miles Lewis-Skelly was bravely given a start in midfield for the second time in his career. It was his first Champions League appearance. Arteta could have been cautious and named Martin Zvimendi instead. They could also have named captain Martin Odegaard in the number 10 role instead of Ebelesi Eze.
But he acted on his terms and it was the right decision. Although Arsenal did not create many chances in the first half, they were clearly the better team and were more likely to score. Just like in the 44th minute when Bukayo Saka scored the only goal, scoring from close range after Leandro Trossard’s shot was saved.
While it may not have affected the goal, Lewis-Skelly’s aggressiveness in possession once again caught the eye. That was illustrated in one example in the first half, when he deftly used his body to outrun Julian Alvarez and play a dangerous ball across the six-yard box.
He rarely let go of the ball. In the 73 minutes before his sending off, he had 55 touches on the pitch and completed 44 of his 49 pass attempts, with a passing accuracy of 90%. He made five passes into the final third, but at the time of his forced substitution only three players on the pitch had made more passes.
The 19-year-old is an extremely talented footballer, which shows why it is strange that he has started just nine games in the Champions League and Premier League this season. His energy and bravery on the ball will make a huge difference to the people of North London.
It wasn’t long ago that some were concerned that Hale End graduates would be graduating this summer. He proved exactly why that is not allowed under any circumstances. The teenager should be looking to be a week-in-week starter next season and for years to come.
Praise must also be given to the excellent William Saliba and Bukayo Saka, who have contributed 14 goals in their last 14 Champions League games after the win against Atleti. A fully fit and refreshed Saka will be essential if Arsenal are to win the competition, which takes place on May 30th.
The same goes for Arsenal’s impressive defensive record in Europe. They have conceded just six goals in 14 games in Europe this season. Only once have they conceded twice in a match.
It took the intervention of Gabriel Magalhães to prevent Diego Simeone’s son Giuliano from equalizing after half-time, but otherwise they controlled the game admirably. Thanks to their stubborn defense, the movement into Hungary was not difficult.
If Arsenal are to end this season with an unprecedented double, it’s clear that Gabriel, Saliba and Saka will be key players. But so will Lewis Skelly. He has shown in the last two games why he should start in Budapest and, when fit, he should start in all the remaining Premier League games.
