Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's comments speak volumes after Myles Lewis-Skelly decision
Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday and Mikel Arteta has reacted to the news after seeing the 18-year-old's progress up close
by Robert O'Conner · The MirrorArsenal's head honcho Mikel Arteta couldn't hide his delight after Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed his first England call up.
The 18 year old, who only made his first-team debut for the Gunners in September, has quickly become a staple in Arteta's squad and now finds himself in Thomas Tuchel's first England selection.
Born and bred in Islington, just a stone's throw from the Emirates Stadium, Lewis-Skelly has been with the Gunners since he was nine, making this moment even sweeter for the club.
Arteta gushed about the defender's achievement on Friday, saying: "Very proud of him. It's a huge moment for him and for the club as well. One of our graduates getting the call for England, it's a massive thing.
"Thomas is a top coach, I know a few people around him and I have no doubt that they will do the right thing with (Lewis-Skelly)."
Having made an inauspicious start to his senior Arsenal career – he received a yellow card before having come on for his debut during the 2-2 draw away to Manchester City earlier in the season – he has since become a key part of Arteta's defence.
He scored his first goal in January, a brilliant solo effort in the 5-1 thumping of City in the return match, and is one of four uncapped players in Tuchel's first selection.
"It's a story that gives a lot of hope to young players," said Arteta. "In six, seven months your career can change dramatically for the good. It's something for people to be inspired."
England play Albania at Wembley on March 21 before another home game against Latvia three days later.
Arteta said he expected Ben White to be reintroduced to the England camp gradually after Tuchel said on Friday that the 27-year-old has made himself available for selection after an absence of more than two years.
The defender, who is not in the squad announced on Friday, has not played for Arsenal since November after undergoing knee surgery.
"I heard there have been positive conversations around it so I imagine it will be about timing more than anything, particularly with the amount of time that he's been out with injury," said Arteta.
White and Lewis-Skelly are two of six English players to have played regularly for Arsenal this season.
Declan Rice has also been included in Tuchel's selection, though the injured Bukayo Saka has not yet returned to full training.
Raheem Sterling has not played internationally since 2022, whilst 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri has been called up to Lee Carsley's under-21 squad.
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