Myles Lewis-Skelly: The incredible rise of the Arsenal star who ‘does things you can’t coach’

Steve Kay

14 Mar 2025 14:00 GMT
6 min read

Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise has taken another huge leap, his first senior England call-up at 18 years old.

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The Arsenal youngster, who only made his debut in September, has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia later this month.

Current ETV

Myles Lewis-Skelly

D (L), M, DMC

Arsenal

Myles Lewis-Skelly

D (L), M, DMC

Arsenal

ETV Range

€13.1M - €16M

It’s a remarkable achievement for a player who wasn’t even a guaranteed first-team option at the start of the season. But fast forward a few months and Lewis-Skelly has forced his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans, playing a crucial role in Arsenal’s Premier League title push and their run to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Now, he’s caught the eye of Tuchel, who sees him as a potential long-term option at left-back.

Originally a midfielder, Lewis-Skelly’s transformation into a defender has been one of the most unexpected yet successful tactical shifts of the season.

His combination of athleticism, technical skill, and defensive intelligence has made him invaluable to Arteta - so much so that he’s keeping summer signing Ricardo Calafiori out of the starting XI.

Tuchel, who has been searching for a reliable alternative at left-back due to Luke Shaw’s ongoing fitness struggles and Ben Chilwell’s inconsistency, clearly sees Lewis-Skelly as a viable solution. If he impresses in the upcoming qualifiers, he could force his way into England’s squad for the next World Cup in 2026.

Breakthrough moment

If there was a moment that truly signalled Lewis-Skelly’s arrival, it was his stunning goal against Manchester City in February. Arsenal were already in control of a 5-1 win when the teenager picked up the ball on the edge of the box, shifted onto his right foot, and curled a beautiful shot past Ederson.

It wasn’t just the goal itself but the confidence and composure he showed that made everyone - including Tuchel - take notice.

Lewis-Skelly’s talent has been well known within Arsenal for years. Jack Wilshere, who coached him in the academy, once described him as a player who "does things you can't coach".

Arteta, too, has been full of praise. Speaking about his young star’s England call-up, the Arsenal boss said: "Myles has worked incredibly hard for this. His talent is clear, but what sets him apart is his mentality. England are getting a fantastic player."

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Strong foundations

Lewis-Skelly’s rise has been built on strong family support. His mother, Marcia Lewis, plays a key role in guiding his career as his agent, ensuring he stays grounded despite his rapid ascent. With such a strong support system, he’s been able to handle the pressure that comes with being one of England’s brightest young talents.

With England’s qualifiers just around the corner, Lewis-Skelly could be set for his international debut before the end of the month. And with Arsenal preparing to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, he’s about to test himself on the biggest stages in world football - all before his 19th birthday.

It’s been an incredible rise for the Arsenal teenager, and if he continues at this pace, both club and country may have found a future superstar.