Jamie Carragher compares Arsenal star to Wayne Rooney – ‘Football arrogance’

Jamie Carragher has been blown away by Myles Lewis-Skelly, describing the Arsenal youngster as ‘very, very special’ after his ‘spectacular’ performance against Real Madrid

Jamie Carragher has piled praise on “very, very special” Myles Lewis-Skelly by saying the Arsenal youngster has a similar “arrogance” to a young Wayne Rooney.

And after Lewis-Skelly’s shining performance against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates on Tuesday night, Carragher is already willing to put him in rare air following a “spectacular” breakthrough campaign under Mikel Arteta.

Lewis-Skelly has now made 29 appearances in all competitions and has become the Gunners’ first-choice left back. He also earned a senior England call-up last month, scoring on his debut.

“You talk about full backs and you think of sort at Liverpool with Trent they’re a little bit different,” former Liverpool star Carragher said on CBS.

READ MORE: Declan Rice’s free-kick heroics stunned Arsenal team-mates – ‘Don’t see that in training’READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe and two Real Madrid team-mates slammed for what they did against Arsenal

“They’re not a normal full back and you just mentioned what a young full back would be. Normally at a big club, when a young player comes through, the easiest position to come through is probably full back.

“You (pointing at Micah Richards) did that (at Man City), I did that (at Liverpool). You bed yourself into the game. I’m not saying it’s an easy position, but you don’t have to be spectacular if you like.

“But he’s spectacular at left back and he looks like one of the best players in the Arsenal team. He’s going into central midfield and receiving the ball on the half turn. He’s got Mbappe and Vinicius Jnr either side of him, he’s taking responsibility.’

And those qualities reminded Carragher of Manchester United legend Rooney, who was convinced from early in his career that he was the best player on the pitch.

“That’s where I go back to football arrogance,” he added. “And it’s not about position, it reminds me a little bit of Jude Bellingham at that age and Rooney.

“When Wayne Rooney first came into the England squad it was almost like I’m the best player, give me the ball, no fear, you take the ball in difficult situations.

“When we were young players it was like you wanted to get your first pass off, don’t give the ball away just want to almost build into a game. But he’s got that thing like he’s 26 and been playing all of his life and he is very, very special.”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

£43

£35

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.