Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly mocked Manchester Metropolis’s Erling Haaland throughout and after Sunday’s 5-1 victory for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect romped into an early lead at the Emirates Stadium via Martin Odegaard’s second-minute opener. Arsenal centre-back Gabriel roared in Haaland’s face earlier than operating to his teammates to have a good time the objective – a nod to the primary assembly between these sides back in September when the Norwegian quantity 9 marked John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser by throwing a ball at Gabriel’s head.
Arsenal needed to climate a storm of stress from Metropolis for the rest of the primary half earlier than Haaland – who else? – levelled for the guests shortly after the restart. Nevertheless, Thomas Partey fired the Gunner again in entrance inside 60 seconds and Lewis-Skelly made it 3-1 within the 62nd minute.
The spritely 18-year-old, who loved an excellent game on and off the ball, celebrated his first objective in senior soccer by folding his legs into the lotus place and pretending to meditate; the identical pose which Haaland has so typically pulled after scoring.
To imitate an opponent’s celebration in the course of the sport is one factor – Bukayo Saka has deployed the signature strikes of James Maddison and Marcus Rashford in matches in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United over current years – however Lewis-Skelly adopted up his in-game jibe with a pointed social media put up.
After Metropolis salvaged a 2-2 draw with the Gunners initially of the season, Haaland was caught telling Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to “keep humble”. These two small phrases have resurfaced all through the next 4 months, notably throughout Metropolis’s uncharacteristically poor run of type.
In a joint Instagram put up with adidas shortly after the ultimate whistle, Lewis-Skelly was pictured celebrating his objective beneath the caption “maintain it humble”.
When the Arsenal teenager’s in-game antics have been put to Pep Guardiola after the match, he delivered a barely frenzied response: “I did not see it. Did he try this? That is good. That is good. Emulating Haaland’s celebration? That is good. That is good.
“Did you want my reply?”
Haaland’s father Alfie, a former skilled footballer for Metropolis himself, was much less impressed.
«This Crew» that wins every little thing. Ehhhhh, not. 🩵 https://t.co/B81Ais3J6a
— Alfie Haaland (@alfiehaaland) February 2, 2025
