Jamie Carragher has expressed his disappointment with Myles Lewis-Skelly’s decision to mimic Erling Haaland’s celebration during Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 win over Manchester City.
The 18-year-old, who netted Arsenal’s third goal in the emphatic victory, was seen copying Haaland’s famous pose after scoring, a move many perceived as a direct taunt toward the Norwegian striker. This was especially significant given the earlier clash between the two in the season, where Haaland had reportedly mocked the young Arsenal talent.
While many, including “It’s All Kicking Off” host Chris Sutton, found humor in Lewis-Skelly’s antics, Carragher did not share the same sentiment. Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher stated, “I’ve always liked football arrogance on the pitch, but I didn’t like this. He’s a young player, mimicking Haaland and taking the mick. I understand what Haaland said earlier, but this was a big moment for him, and we’ve all been there as young players.” Carragher’s point seemed to be that while it’s common for young players to get carried away in such significant moments, it’s important to retain composure.
Carragher also took a moment to highlight the leadership role of Declan Rice during the celebrations, an aspect he viewed as crucial for the development of younger players. “Declan Rice is telling him to get back in position. This is what senior players should do, guiding the younger ones,” Carragher added. He praised Rice’s professionalism, noting that experienced players like him should be the ones who temper such youthful exuberance, ensuring the team stays focused on the bigger picture.
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Lewis-Skelly’s celebration was not only met with mixed reactions on the pitch but also sparked some comments off it. Shortly after the game, Arsenal’s official X account posted an image of the celebration, captioned “This Team”. In a response, Haaland’s father, Alfie, humorously remarked, “This Team that wins everything. Ehhhhh, not,” clearly mocking Arsenal’s lack of recent silverware and their near-misses in title races against City.
The young midfielder’s goal was a key moment in the match, where he cut inside and fired a shot that Stefan Ortega could only parry into the net off the post. This goal put Arsenal 3-1 up, helping the Gunners establish a strong lead. His performance on the night earned him a standing ovation when Arteta substituted him in the 90th minute, further highlighting his impact on the game.
Throughout the match, Arsenal demonstrated exceptional teamwork, with Martin Ødegaard opening the scoring early on after an error by Manuel Akanji. Haaland briefly equalized for City in the second half, but Arsenal responded almost immediately, with Thomas Partey’s deflected effort putting them back in front. With further goals from Lewis-Skelly, Kai Havertz, and Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal sealed a dominant victory, reinforcing their credentials as title contenders under Mikel Arteta’s leadership.
This match also marked the continuation of the simmering tension between Lewis-Skelly and Haaland, which began in their previous encounter at the Etihad earlier this season. The Gunners had earned a 2-2 draw in that match, but Haaland’s comments after the game seemed to further fuel the rivalry between the two.
