DECLAN RICE says Arsenal wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly is so good he must have been built in a LABORATORY.
The Gunners’ outstanding Hale End academy graduate was a revelation in Friday’s 1-0 Prem win over Ipswich which sent Mikel Arteta’s men second in the table.
Islington-born MLS, 18, was selected at left-back ahead of Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Kieran Tierney.
And £105million Arsenal midfielder Rice, 25, declared: “This kid is just special, very special. He can go to the top.
“For an 18-year-old to be that good, that comfortable, that strong, it was like he was built in a lab. I said that to him the other day.
“It’s just ridiculous how good he is, but he has a long way to go. He’s so level-headed, he’s got a great family around him.
“His mum looks after him really well and all the boys at the training ground do, too.
“We have a really good crop of youngsters coming through and he can be what he wants to be.
“He just needs to stay focused and always want more – and he can do that.”
Boss Arteta added: “Myles is a special character.
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“He is well ahead of his age and he has qualities where he adapts to the way we’re playing. Credit to him.”
Lewis-Skelly’s emergence is a bright light for Spaniard Arteta, who has been rocked by England winger Bukayo Saka’s hamstring surgery which has ruled him out for “more than two months.”
Gabriel Martinelli swapped from his usual left-wing spot to fill the Saka void on right against the Tractor Boys, with Belgian international Leandro Trossard playing on the left.
Trossard set up Kai Havertz’s winner and England ace Rice added: “Leo does it time and time again. He can go on his left, can go on his right, he creates, he scores.
“He wasn’t feeling too well, so to put in a 90-minute shift like he’s done, credit to him.
“He’s one of my good friends here, he’s a special player and it was a big win for us.”
ARSENAL leapfrogged Chelsea back into second in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich.
Kai Havertz’s close-range finish midway through the first half proved to be the difference between the title-chasing Gunners and relegation-threatened Tractor Boys.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the Arsenal players at the Emirates Stadium…
David Raya – 5
Cut a lonely figure and must have been cold standing on his goal-line for most of the first half as his team-mates enjoyed 84 per cent possession.
Had his first touch on 31 minutes but was called upon more in the second half as Ipswich grew into the game.
Jurrien Timber – 6
Got the fans on their feet with a glorious run through the middle of the park inside 19 minutes, but his limp long range shot was easily kept out by Muric.
Clearly had a licence to roam, cutting in from full-back and driving up the pitch.
William Saliba – 7
Joined Gabriel in the highest line set-up of the season. The pair of them were at the edge of Muric’s box for most of the first half.
The Frenchman was solid in dealing with a boisterous Liam Delap.
Gabriel – 8
Great game for the Brazilian to ease back into 90 minutes after starting against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Caused his usual nuisance in the opposition area from corners but missed a sitter from a Rice set-piece in the 64th minute.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7
Getting more and more impressive each week. The way he moves with that low centre of gravity makes him so hard to dispossess.
But a poor clearance saw Ipswich enjoy a first spell of possession before the hour mark.
The 18-year-old was poked and prodded by Ipswich striker Delap and Kalvin Phillips at times but dealt with it well.
Declan Rice – 7
Rice was pushed into a defensive No6 role but didn’t have to stay there long.
Energetic as always and added another level of attack he got his foot on the ball and won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area.
Kai Havertz – 8
Officially back in midfield in Saka’s absence after having played most of the season up top.
But the German was in the perfect elusive centre-forward’s position to tap home with a breakthrough opener inside 23 minutes.
Rotated and exchanged the No9 role – perhaps Arteta has found a new partnership that may see them through this spell without Saka.
Martin Odegaard – 6
Rare off evening for the Arsenal captain but nothing too drastic. Uncharacteristic air ball inside six minutes and wasn’t as sharp in his passing.
Perhaps missing the chemistry he has with Saka and lost the ball cheaply at times.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6
All eyes were on the winger as he filled in for Saka on the right-hand side.
The Brazilian perhaps lacks the directness of the Gunners’ starboy, but he saw plenty of the ball and linked up well with Jesus.
Whipped the first ball in for Havertz’s goal which came out to Trossard who provided the assist.
Leandro Trossard – 7
Started on the left and kept the ball alive to steal a yard on Ben Johnson and provide Havertz with a wicked cross and his 12th goal of the season.
Troubled Ipswich’s Johnson with his direct running and tireless work rate throughout.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Jesus clearly had the bit between his teeth at the moment after last week’s goal rush.
Couldn’t quite hold his run well enough when breaking through after 34 minutes for his offside goal. Perhaps over eager at that moment.
Looked disappointed when he was subbed off with 20 minutes remaining.
It extended the Gunners’ unbeaten Emirates run to 17 matches and cut Liverpool’s lead at the top to six points ahead of the Reds’ visit to West Ham tonight.
Arteta’s title-chasers travel across London to Brentford on Wednesday for their first of NINE matches in January.
Thomas Frank’s Bees have dropped only four points at home this season.
And Rice continued: “It will be a massive game, they are a great team.
“Brentford have got some really good individual, quality players.
“They have had an amazing run at their stadium so it is going to be tough, but it is down to us again to prepare and be ready.”
Three days later the Gunners visit Brighton before the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle and then an FA Cup third-round showdown with Manchester United – both at the Emirates.
Rice reflected: “2024 has been a good year. We have done well, but it is not what we want.
“Hopefully, the new year brings trophies, to make that next step to be among the elite.
“We can keep winning games, but it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t win silverware.”
Arsenal have finished Prem runners-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons.
And on this season’s title battle, where Arne Slot’s rampant Reds have a game in hand on Arteta’s men, Rice added: “Massive respect to Liverpool, they’re full throttle.
“They don’t let anyone breathe and we need someone to help us out so they can drop some points.”
