Sir Keir Starmer admits pride for key Arsenal star before PSG Champions League clash

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is hoping that Arsenal go all the way in the UEFA Champions League as they prepare to take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of the competition. Having eliminated the holders Real Madrid in the last round, there is growing enthusiasm around the north London side they could pull off an incredible achievement during a season of adversity.

Arsenal are the last remaining English side in the competition, and should they succeed in their bid to reach the final, they would face one of Barcelona or Inter Milan in a bid to claim the trophy for the first time in their history. Starmer, a passionate Arsenal fan, spoke to football.london at an event at 10 Downing Street celebrating St George's Day, and reflected on the clashes against Real Madrid, describing their significance in the stadium’s 19-year history as the best ever.

"Absolutely, phenomenal night at the Emirates," Starmer replied when asked about his experience of the fixture in north London. "I think that's the best game at the Emirates since the stadium was put up.

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"Probably an equally good game in the away leg as well because that required real resilience."

During the event, attendees heard from the Prime Minister alongside England Rugby captain Maro Itoje, and the theme of the evening was one of pride. Arsenal players have been integral to the country's exploits in international competition, be it the European Championships or the World Cup, with a growing presence in the national side.

"An English club doing really well in Europe, and great English players on the pitch as well," Starmer said. "Look at [Myles] Lewis-Skelly, look at Declan Rice, who was a player of the [Real Madrid] game for both legs.

"These are incredible players, [Bukayo] Saka, of course, really good English players. It was an amazing night. Just got to hope that we go all the way now."

Saka, Rice and Lewis-Skelly, along with Ben White, who could be in line for a return to the England setup in the near future, have all been pivotal in helping establish Arsenal again as not only Champions League competitors but Premier League title challengers. Saka and Lewis-Skelly have come through the club’s academy along with breakthrough star Ethan Nwaneri, with further hope of more to come in the coming seasons too.

Lewis-Skelly's breakthrough this season was not limited just to his club, but with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel as England manager, the former Chelsea boss made the decision to give the 18-year-old his first senior national team call-up. It did not take long for him to make his impression at Wembley, and the Prime Minister spoke of the pride that he has for the Gunners starlet, not just there but also as he faced off against fellow England footballing royalty in the Santiago Bernabeu.

"To see him score, I think it was 19 minutes in on his debut for England, was a real moment. He's an incredibly accomplished player already," Starmer said.

"It's hard to believe he's only 18. When he was going head-to-head with Jude Bellingham in that Real game, it was just to see the confidence that he had [there]. He's a great player, a really great addition. I'm really proud of him."

This is a sentiment shared by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who has been key in helping several young English stars establish themselves in the game under his tenure, such as Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, who both made senior England debuts while playing under the Spaniard.

"I think we all do," he said when asked in March if he feels pride in the role he has played in players like Lewis-Skelly’s development. "Because obviously we are involved in their development and we know that it's one of the biggest dreams that you can achieve as a football player and a really proud moment, so being part of that obviously is a great thing to be.

"Very important. I think culturally, I think because of our history and we're an English club, to have that DNA that represents us as a club and then having a lot of academy players as well, I think it's something very, very positive, so I'm very proud of it."

Lewis-Skelly is expected to start for Arsenal on Tuesday at the Emirates when the stadium plays host to the greatest night in its history. Arteta will aim to follow his female counterpart Renee Slegers, who overcame Lyon in the semi-finals of the competition this past weekend, and also set up a Champions League final with the club on the precipice of history.