Arsenal Fans Slam ‘Disgusting’ Antonio Rudiger Stamp on Myles Lewis-Skelly

Arsenal’s dream night in Madrid was not without controversy, as furious supporters took to social media to call out Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger for what they described as a “disgusting” stamp on young star Myles Lewis-Skelly during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Despite Arsenal’s historic 5-1 aggregate triumph over the 14-time European champions, many fans couldn’t ignore what they saw as an act of unsportsmanlike behaviour from Rudiger. The Germany international appeared to intentionally plant his foot into the midsection of Lewis-Skelly while the teenager was grounded during a second-half tussle, in an incident that went unnoticed by both the referee and VAR.

The moment unfolded before either team had scored in the second leg, with the match still finely poised despite Arsenal holding a 3-0 first-leg advantage. As Lewis-Skelly fell to the turf following a routine duel, Rudiger seemed to rush past and drop his foot forcefully onto the 17-year-old’s stomach — an action many supporters and pundits saw as deliberate.

Social media immediately erupted. Arsenal fans, already on edge from the tension of the high-stakes match, were incensed by the lack of a card — yellow or red — and questioned why UEFA officials failed to intervene through video review.

“This is football, not wrestling,” one fan raged on X. “How is Rudiger still on the pitch after that? That was pure violence.” Another wrote, “Disgraceful. There’s no way he didn’t know Lewis-Skelly was there. That was malicious.”

The outrage didn’t stop there. A third supporter posted: “Imagine if this was an Arsenal player doing that to Bellingham. Headlines would explode. Yet because it’s Real Madrid, it’s ignored?” The accusations against UEFA’s officiating decisions continued to mount, with fans demanding an investigation into the incident post-match.

Yet, amidst the uproar, Arsenal held their nerve. In one of the most disciplined performances of their European campaign, Mikel Arteta’s men responded with composure, not chaos. They refused to be drawn into Real Madrid’s physical approach, which only intensified as the hosts desperately searched for a way back into the tie.

Bukayo Saka soon gave Arsenal fans a moment of sheer ecstasy. After missing a penalty in the first half — a cheeky Panenka attempt saved by Courtois — the Englishman delivered redemption in spectacular fashion. In the 58th minute, Saka received the ball on the edge of the box, skipped past Ferland Mendy, and floated a gorgeous chipped finish over Courtois. The goal was symbolic: Arsenal had arrived, and they weren’t backing down.

Just minutes later, Madrid responded through Vinicius Jr. A rare lapse in concentration from William Saliba allowed the Brazilian to nip in and slot home, sparking a flicker of belief among the home fans. But it proved to be a false dawn, as Arsenal remained in control of the tie with a commanding 4-1 aggregate lead.

The young Lewis-Skelly, the subject of the Rudiger incident, soldiered on bravely despite the apparent pain. His composure under pressure earned widespread praise, with many fans hailing his maturity on such a big stage. “That kid’s a warrior,” one fan posted. “Takes a stamp from Rudiger, stays calm, and keeps playing like a seasoned pro.”

The final whistle confirmed the unthinkable: Arsenal had eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League. The Gunners had not only beaten the Spanish giants, but humiliated them on their own turf — and done so while dealing with provocation and poor officiating. Arteta’s men are now set to face Paris Saint-Germain in a mouthwatering semi-final that nobody predicted.

Meanwhile, UEFA later issued a brief statement regarding the VAR decisions in the match, confirming that no clear and obvious error was detected in the Rudiger stamp — a response that only further enraged fans who felt justice was denied.

The broader footballing world has also started weighing in on the incident. Former players and pundits alike questioned Rudiger’s actions, with some even calling for retroactive punishment. “This isn’t the first time Rudiger’s crossed the line,” said one commentator. “You can be aggressive, but there’s a line — and that was well past it.”

Arteta himself declined to be drawn into the controversy post-match, instead praising his team’s resilience and focus. “We played with our hearts and our minds,” he said. “We didn’t let anything distract us. That’s the mentality you need in these games.”

Still, the memory of Rudiger’s alleged stamp lingers. Arsenal fans are now calling for UEFA to set a precedent by reviewing the incident and taking appropriate disciplinary action. Whether they will remains to be seen.

As for Lewis-Skelly, the young midfielder now finds himself at the center of attention — not for being a victim, but for how he handled the moment with class. The future is bright for him, and even brighter for Arsenal, who have taken a giant step towards European glory.

One thing is certain: if Arsenal do go on to lift the Champions League trophy, this match in Madrid — with all its drama, controversy, and triumph — will be remembered as a pivotal chapter in their story.