Mikel Arteta ‘very proud’ after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s England call-up

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta spoke of his pride after defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was called up by England.

The 18-year-old academy graduate only made his senior debut for the club in September but after winning a regular spot in Arteta’s line-up he has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad selection.

Lewis-Skelly grew up in Islington, near to the Emirates Stadium, and has been at Arsenal since the age of nine.

“Very proud of him,” said Arteta, whose team face Chelsea at home on Sunday. “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.

Asked about the club’s English core, Arteta said: “Very important. I think culturally, because of our history, we are an English club, to have that DNA and having a lot of academy players as well, I think it’s something very positive.

“It attaches people to the football club, it makes them proud. Everybody wants to see academy players driving and being the face of the club.

“It has to happen organically, you can’t force it. Now it’s really good news because they (Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri) deserve to be where they are. It’s a bright future ahead of them.”