3/10 Arsenal Ace Was Lucky to be on the Winning Side vs Bayern – He Was Awful

Despite facing their sternest test yet in the Champions League this season, Arsenal swept Bayern Munich aside in a 3-1 victory which consolidated their lead at the top of the table.

After Jurrien Timber’s header was cancelled out by 17-year-old Lennart Karl in the first half, Mikel Arteta’s side turned up the heat after the interval. Putting the visitors under near-constant pressure, they were rewarded for their efforts through Noni Madueke’s tap in, before Gabriel Martinelli broke away to finish the Bavarians off.

It was a comfortable victory for the Gunners, with nearly the whole team putting in performances which would have left supporters grinning from ear to ear. But Myles Lewis-Skelly can count himself lucky that he was on the winning side.

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Lewis-Skelly Put in Poor Performance vs Bayern Munich

After breaking into the senior team last season under Mikel Arteta, Lewis-Skelly has found himself largely frozen out in 2025/26. He’s yet to start in the Premier League so far this term, with Riccardo Calafiori preferred at left-back.

Wednesday night, then, was a big opportunity for the 19-year-old to show exactly why he should be featuring from the first minute more often. But the left-back was put through his paces by a Bayern side who were dominated for most of the night.

The visitors’ only goal of the evening came after a nice passing move in the first half, but it was Joshua Kimmich’s long ball which undid Arsenal’s defence. The German international dropped the ball over Lewis-Skelly’s head for Serge Gnabry, who pulled it across the box for Karl to smack past Raya.

Check Out Bayern’s Goal Below:

And while that would be Bayern’s only goal at the Emirates, they might have grabbed a second against the run of play. Karl was once again at the heart of things, spinning past Lewis-Skelly and driving at goal down the left. Had his finish not been so tame, then the Hale End academy graduate could very well have cost his side dearly.

The flashpoints didn’t tell a full story either, as the defender’s flank was targeted during the entire time he was on the pitch. Vincent Kompany’s side managed to dribble past the teenager three times and they beat him to the ball consistently in duels. Moreover, Lewis-Skelly was wasteful in possession, completing just 58% of his passes, with him receiving a dismal rating of just 3/10 in the game.

Riccardo Calafiori Adds Insult to Injury for Lewis-Skelly

Arteta gave his defender until the 68th minute before deciding that a change was needed for the breakthrough. He turned to Calafiori off the bench — and the Italian made an almost instant impact.

After Declan Rice’s interception, the substitute bombed forward down the left flank and received the ball. He proceeded to whip in a devilish low cross to the back post where Madueke was lurking and the England international obliged with the finishing touch.

It was a near-flawless cameo from Calafiori, who helped change the tide in both defence and attack for the Gunners. For Lewis-Skelly, the performance from his teammate was exactly what he didn’t need, as Arteta now has little reason to pick him over the 23-year-old.

Minutes that were already a premium for the youngster are likely to become even harder to come by. And with Thomas Tuchel dropping the left-back out of the England squad because he hasn’t featured regularly for his club, it could mean that his place in the Three Lions squad for the 2026 World Cup is in serious jeopardy — particularly as the club are not willing to let him leave.

Fans Unhappy With Lewis-Skelly’s Performance vs Bayern

Multiple fans have voiced their frustration at Lewis-Skelly’s display against Bayern, with many calling for his substitution to be made earlier than the 68th minute. One supporter wrote: “Please sub in Calafiori man I can’t take this Lewis-Skelly stinker anymore.” Another, summing up his performance, called it a “disaster.”

Calafiori’s introduction and subsequent assist also raised further questions about the decision to start Lewis-Skelly in the game, with someone stating: “In just a minute, See the clear difference between Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly.” That was echoed by a fellow Gunner, who said: “The atrocious Lewis-Skelly goes off and Calafiori comes on and gets an assist.”

For some supporters, the 19-year-old’s showing was proof as to why Arteta doesn’t select him to start more often. One said: “Horrible defending from Lewis-Skelly. Just a reminder for anyone who doesn’t know why he hasn’t been seen much lately.” And a final supporter went even further, writing: “Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are definitely not good enough for this new level Arsenal has found this season. The demands are requirements are just too high.”

Chelsea Up Next for Arsenal

Victory for Arsenal against Bayern means that they are flying high at the summit of both the Champions League and Premier League table. And they could potentially extend their lead at the top of the latter if all goes to plan on Sunday.

Arteta’s men face a short journey across London for a derby in the capital against Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca’s side fresh off the back of an impressive 3-0 win against Barcelona. Should the Gunners win, then they will put nine points between them and the Blues, who sit in second place.