“It’s just the pride” - Myles Lewis-Skelly reveals how Arsenal stars are now addressing the Emirates Stadium after brilliant start to the season

Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly has revealed that the players have started calling the Emirates their house this season. He added that the defenders are proud of keeping clean sheets and stopping shots in home games.

Speaking to HaytersTV, Lewis-Skelly said the defenders are on a mission to prevent teams from getting close to their goal. They want to protect the goal, and have started treating the stadium like their house, and said:

“It’s just the pride. When we’re at our house – we call it (The Emirates) our house – and nothing comes in our house, nothing comes in our goal. We take pride in keeping clean sheets, stopping shots and stopping crosses. We don’t want anyone scoring!”

Lewis-Skelly has not been a regular in the starting XI under Mikel Arteta this season, but the youngster is not losing faith. He wants to fight for his place for Ricardo Calafiori and said (via ESPN):

"I'm enjoying it this season. It's a different experience for me, not playing as much at the moment, but I'm enjoying being part of the team. It's important to compete for places and I'm a competitive person, so I'm never going to back down. I enjoy the challenge. Being with these boys is a joy." "The standards are high and everyone wants to play. Because the levels are so much higher this season, places are short, but you've just got to compete. At the end of the day, I just want to express myself. Football's what I love and I'll never make excuses if I am playing or not. I just want to go out there and express myself. As long as I'm doing that, I'm giving the gaffer a choice to make."

The teenager has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal after Calafiori made a stunning start to the season. The Englishman is yet to start in the Premier League this season, but has started twice each in the UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup.

Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly warned by England manager Thomas Tuchel

England manager Thomas Tuchel sent a clear message to Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly earlier this month, stating the defender will find it hard to get a place in his squad if he does not play regularly for the club.

He admitted that the selection will be based on performance, and being a good teammate would not be enough to keep his place in the squad. The manager selected the Arsenal man for his games against Wales and Latvia and will announce his next squad soon.

England face Serbia and Albania in their next FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The matches take place on November 13 and 16 and will be the national team's final games in 2025.

Edited by Sripad