Arsenal booked their spot in the UEFA Champions League final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium, putting Mikel Arteta's side on the brink of a historic double.

While midfielder Declan Rice earned the official man of the match award, he was quick to deflect praise toward teenage teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who delivered another standout performance in the Gunners' engine room.

"We have always known what Myles can do," Rice told the BBC. "I remember last year when he played so many games. Real Madrid away at the Bernabeu at 18 – I thought: 'Wow, what a player.' The manager has been tough on him behind the scenes. He has kept his head down, and he has worked so hard. He is in early, gym and works hard. To be thrown in at the deep end and perform how he did is no surprise to me."

The Arsenal academy graduate's statistics backed up the hype: he won all three of his aerial duels, created a key pass, and recorded two progressive carries, showcasing the all-around game that has made him indispensable.

Lewis-Skelly's emergence could define Arsenal's season. When Martin Zubimendi operated in midfield, Arteta's side looked strangely flat, lacking the intensity and verticality that have powered their campaign. But the decision to turn to the 18-year-old for the last two matches has completely transformed the team's dynamic.

The teenager brings relentless aggression without the ball, fearlessly carries possession through pressure, and injects infectious energy into the midfield. Against Atletico, he played with the maturity of a seasoned international rather than a teenager experiencing the biggest nights of his career.

Arteta may have stumbled upon the perfect balance at exactly the right moment. With the Premier League title race entering its decisive stage and a Champions League final now looming, Lewis-Skelly's athleticism could become a major weapon. On current evidence, he looks more than capable of helping drive Arsenal toward a historic double.