Declan Rice compares Arsenal wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly to classy ex-Premier League midfielder as Mikel Arteta hails 'phenomenal' display
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Declan Rice heaped praise on Myles Lewis-Skelly after the teenager starred in Arsenal's north London derby win over Tottenham on Wednesday night. Lewis-Skelly, 18, has broken into the Arsenal first team in recent weeks and excelled at left back, despite playing most of his academy career as a midfielder.
![[Declan Rice was full of praise for his teenage team-mate after the game at the Emirates]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/23/94145165-14289939-image-a-54_1736983727159.jpg)
He produced another fine performance at the Emirates on Wednesday as Arsenal came from behind to secure a 2-1 win and close to within four points of league leaders Liverpool. Speaking after the match, Rice hailed Lewis-Skelly's fearless approach, and compared him to ex-Tottenham and Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele.
![[Rice hailed Lewis-Skelly's versatility and compared him to ex-Tottenham and Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/23/94145151-14289939-image-a-55_1736983750103.jpg)
'It is scary,' Rice told TNT Sports when discussing Lewis-Skelly's ability. 'I said the 18-year-olds now have no fear whatsoever. 'There were four or five times where he has that Moussa Dembele trait. He uses his body to get away from stuff. To show that at 18 years old is unbelievable.'.
![[Lewis-Skelly shares a joke with Arsenal legend Ian Wright after the match]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/23/94145443-14289939-image-a-36_1736984588817.jpg)
Myles Lewis-Skelly (left) starred in Arsenal's win over Tottenham on Wednesday night. Declan Rice was full of praise for his teenage team-mate after the game at the Emirates. Rice hailed Lewis-Skelly's versatility and compared him to ex-Tottenham and Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele.
Lewis-Skelly has been keeping more seasoned professionals such as Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori out of the team since being handed his opportunity by Mikel Arteta. Rice expects the youngster to eventually move back into midfield, but feels his versatility can only be a strength moving forwards as he tipped Lewis-Skelly for international honours.
