Football

MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY laid down another marker in a breakthrough season as Arsenal hammered Real Madrid.The left-back, whose Arsenal career started with a yellow card before he’d kicked a ball, has enjoyed a meteoric rise at the Emirates this term.Myles Lewis-Skelly produced a sensational performance against Real MadridCredit: GettyThe Arsenal star bagged an assist for Mikel Merino’s goalCredit: GettyMerino fired home Arsenal’s third goal of the eveningCredit: GettyStats showed a near-flawless performance from Lewis-SkellyAnd on Tuesday night the England star put on arguably the most impressive display of his career so far as he dominated the European champions.In Spain, the press are very much looking forward to the arrival of another top English full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, at Real Madrid this summer.But this week the papers there were falling over themselves to praise Lewis-Skelly.Commenting on a “mature” display, Mundo Deportivo wrote: “At just 18 years old, he put in a performance to remember, both in defence and attack.”READ MORE ARSENAL NEWSAnd Marca, praising his assist for Mikel Merino, commented: “Lewis-Skelly controlled the front, amazing in his mobility throughout the field, he put the pass into the area and with his left foot, Mikel Merino placed it next to the post.”Meanwhile the stats showed that Lewis-Skelly had produced an attacking display very much reminiscent of Alexander-Arnold.The stat that stood out the most showed that, despite being a left-back, Lewis-Skelly had played the vast majority of his football in the Real Madrid half.During the match, Lewis-Skelly would manage 74 touches of the ball and complete a whopping 54 passes out of 57 attempted.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKAnd, as can be seen in the pass map, the left-back was not content merely to retain possession as he regularly attempted through balls and usually saw them come off.In Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid will be signing a player known for being one of the best attacking full-backs in the world, but who has been plagued by claims that his defensive contribution has never been up to scratch.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsHowever, as Lewis-Skelly marauded forward time and time again, there were few, if any, concerns about his defensive play.The England starlet was tasked with keeping a watchful eye on in-form Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, which he did in exemplary fashion.The Brazilian, who was one of the best players on the pitch when Real Madrid knocked out rivals Atletico, was kept quiet throughout the evening.He managed just one touch in the Arsenal penalty area on a night where the front three of him, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe – all of whom have been touted as potential Ballon d’Or winners – was made to look distinctly average.Lewis-Skelly played most of his football in the Real Madrid halfAnd he was never afraid to attempt the ambitious passThe average position stats showed the extent to which Mikel Arteta’s men pushed the European champions backRodrygo endured a quiet game as he was well-martialled by the Arsenal left-backA pair of stunning Declan Rice free kicks set the Gunners on their way to a shock win over the European champions.But it was Lewis-Skelly who rounded things off with a brilliant assist for Mikel Merino to give Mikel Arteta’s side a commanding 3-0 lead.And if the Gunners are to defend that lead at the Bernabeu and round off a famous Champions League triumph, you suspect Lewis-Skelly will play a big part in it. More

ARSENAL fans branded Wesley Sneijder a “bitter, sore loser” after his “terrible” take on Declan Rice’s free-kicks.The England midfielder lived up to his £105million price-tag with a pair of set-piece stunners against Real Madrid last night.Fans blasted Wesley Sneijder for his ‘terrible’ take on Declan Rice’s free-kicksCredit: XThe ace netted two set-pieces as Arsenal beat Real Madrid 3-0Credit: GettyMikel Merino was also on the score-sheet to wrap up a 3-0 win for Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.But it was Rice who stole the limelight with two free-kick goals in the space of 12 minutes.The ace’s first strike was a scorcher from distance that brought back memories of Real great Roberto Carlos.Rice then took a leaf out of David Beckham’s book for the second, bending an impossible strike around Real’s wall and into the far-top corner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt prompted a brilliant reaction in the Sky Sports studio from Paul Merson, who suffered an awkward wardrobe malfunction in the process.But one man who failed to be impressed was Dutch icon Sneijder.The former playmaker knows what it takes to win a Champions League title, having led Inter Milan to a Treble in 2010.Sneijder also won trophies with Ajax, Galatasaray and Arsenal’s opponents Real.Most read in Champions LeagueJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesAnd speaking live on Dutch TV channel Ziggo Sport, he boldly claimed that Rice’s free-kicks were nothing special.Sneijder, who was a set-piece specialist himself, instead reckoned that several mistakes by Real’s defensive wall led to both strikes hitting the target.’Give me your right foot please’ – Crocked Arsenal star issues plea to Declan Rice in dressing room after stunning goalsArsenal ratings vs Real Madrid as Declan Rice’s free-kick thunderbolts earn him an ELEVEN out of 10BEND it like Beckham? More like bend it like Declan…It was a set-piece clinic from the Arsenal midfielder as he scored the first free-kicks of his career against Real Madrid – and the first player in Champions League history to score multiple direct free-kicks in the same knockout stage game.Thibaut Courtois was on hand to save Real Madrid in a fast paced first half as he pulled off a fine double save to deny a Rice header and a follow-up effort from Gabriel Martinelli.The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute as England star Rice whipped in a sensational free-kick.Rice then sent the Emirates into the stratosphere with as he added a second with an even better free-kick from the left side of the goal which he rifled into the top right corner.Mikel Merino then swept a devastating third into the bottom corner from a low cross to put the cherry on a remarkable night.Rice’s epic showing was enough to earn him an unprecedented ELEVEN in our player ratings.Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the rest of the Gunners…Sneijder was backed up by former Arsenal star Giovanni van BronckhorstCredit: GettyHe boldly claimed: “I don’t think the free kicks were that impressive. “This may sound strange but it’s extremely easy to curve a ball like that as long as you know how to take a shot, and I know all about this. The wall was at fault here.“The same for the second free kick. You saw Courtois moving to his right just before Rice took it. A mistake by the goalkeeper.”Sneijder’s view was also backed up by former Arsenal star and Double winner Giovanni van Bronckhorst.He boomed: “I think Wesley is right. You can see that the wall is too far to the left, which makes it easy for Rice to shoot past.”However, fans strongly disagreed with Sneijder’s take on Rice’s stunning free-kicks.One said: “What a sore loser.”Another declared: “Bitter old guy.”Read More on The SunOne noted: “What a terrible take.”Another added: “Everyone would be scoring a free kick by that logic.” More