The Gunners kept their remote title hopes alive with a crushing 5-1 win over the champions on Sunday in an incident packed game that only served to stoke an increasingly heated rivalry.
Lewis-Skelly provided the crowning glory for Mikel Arteta’s side, virtually sealing the contest with his side’s third goal and his first at senior level.
Accepting Rice’s probing pass just outside the penalty area, the teenager burst into the box, cut inside John Stones and, with his weaker foot, found the far corner via Stefan Ortega’s glove and the inside of the post.
The latest diamond to emerge from the Hale End Academy reacted by recreating Erling Haaland’s trademark celebration, a pointed response to having been asked ‘who the f*** are you?’ by City’s talisman during an altercation at the end of the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Lewi-Skelly’s celebration has divided opinion in the aftermath of Arsenal’s victory with Carragher claiming the youngster went too far.
The former Liverpool defender did, however, note the largely unseen role Rice played in attempting to get the youngster to focus and regain his composure after winding up the opposition.
Arsenal FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League
Myles Lewis-Skelly’s goal put Arsenal 3-1 ahead against Man City (Picture: Getty)
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‘I didn’t like this (the celebration) to be honest, because he’s a young player. You know, mimicking Haaland and taking the mick out of him,’ Carragher told Sky Sports.
‘But I think as a young player – and I know we all get carried away with ourselves as a young player – but I just think what Declan Rice did there.
‘He pulled him up. He’s still celebrating in the corner. Listen, it’s a huge moment for him, but Declan Rice is telling him to get back in position.
‘And when I think about leaders in that dressing room and being a senior player…
Arsenal FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League
Erling Haaland could only stand and watch as Manchester City were thrashed by Arsenal
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/Shutterstock (15125985hx) Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta issues instructions to Declan Rice Arsenal v Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 02 Feb 2025
Declan Rice gave a man of the match performance against Man City (Credits: Javier Garcia/Shutterstock
‘Look at Declan Rice telling them: ‘Get back in position! Let’s not get carried away!’
‘This is what senior pros should be doing in the dressing room to young players.’
Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile has defended his teammate, insisting Lewis-Skelly was not being disrespectful towards Haaland.
Speaking after Arsenal’s statement win Arteta appeared to warn his players against gloating.
But Martinelli stood up for his colleague, whose well-taken second-half strike capped another fine performance from the club’s rising academy star.
‘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.’
Football - 2024 / 2025 Premier League - Arsenal vs Manchester City - Emriates Stadium - Sunday 2nd February 2025. Martin Odegaard of Arsenal celebrates his goal with Gaabriel Martinelli Credit : Colorsport
Martin Odegaard opened the scoring and set the tone for Arsenal in their 5-1 win over Man City (Credits: COLORSPORT / Andrew Cowie)
Haaland, who momentarily hauled City level in the second half at the Emirates, was targeted by Arsenal in the wake of his ‘stay humble’ comments following September’s chaotic 2-2 draw.
Prior to Lewis-Skelly’s celebration, Gabriel screamed in Haaland’s face after Martin Odegaard’s opener, while the Norway international was also taunted by the Arsenal supporters. In turn, Haaland pointed to the Premier League champions badge on the side of his City sleeve.
‘It’s two teams that want to win the championship, so that’s a fight,’ added Martinelli of the fierce rivalry that has developed between the two clubs.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Myles Lewis-Skelly of Arsenal poses for a photograph with Ethan Nwaneri in the Arsenal dressing room as they celebrate after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City FC at Emirates Stadium on February 02, 2025 in London, England.
Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly both got on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Man City
‘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, and we are really happy with the result.
‘We know our qualities, the team that we have. Even though we have some players injured, we know the quality we have in the team and we are trying our best for the club, for the players that are injured, and for the fans, too.
‘We still have a long journey to go, many games to go, but we are going to try to do our best to win the league.’
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