Janice R. Andrews
The Premier League has issued a warning to Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly and other players after his imitation of Erling Haaland’s celebration during Arsenal’s stunning 5-1 victory over Manchester City. The league is considering stricter measures to curb celebrations deemed as mocking opponents, sparking debates among fans and pundits alike.
Lewis-Skelly, who scored Arsenal’s third goal, mimicked Haaland’s signature meditation pose, a move that has since gone viral. The celebration reignited tensions between the two clubs, with Haaland previously telling the youngster, “Who are you?” during their September clash. The Norwegian striker also advised Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to “stay humble” after their 2-2 draw earlier this season.
The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, emphasized the need for balance in celebrations. “We all like to see celebrations. Some have been very funny and entertaining, but there’s a line. Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism, we would need to deal with it,” Scholes told Sky Sports.
This season, Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye was booked for imitating a seagull after scoring against Brighton, while Neal Maupay faced backlash for mimicking James Maddison’s darts celebration last year. However, players like Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee have used controversial celebrations without punishment, leading to accusations of inconsistency.
Fans have reacted strongly to the Premier League’s warning. Social media users criticized the move, with some calling it an overreaction. One fan tweeted, “Now you can’t even celebrate after scoring a goal. The game is truly finished,” while another joked, “Arsenal will be the first club to get a red card for a celebration.”
The incident has also highlighted the growing tension between Arsenal and Manchester City. Anthony Gordon recently trolled the Gunners after Newcastle knocked them out of the Carabao Cup, echoing Haaland’s “stay humble” advice.
As the Premier League considers stricter rules, the debate over celebrations continues. While some see them as harmless fun, others argue they risk inflaming tensions. For now, Lewis-Skelly’s imitation has put the spotlight on the fine line between banter and disrespect in football.
