Arteta hails Lewis-Skelly’s England call-up

Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta said he was “proud” of Myles Lewis-Skelly after the teenager was named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad on Friday.

Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a meteoric rise since bursting onto the Premier League stage with Arsenal earlier this season. The 18-year-old only made his Gunners debut in September, but has already established himself as a key figure in Arteta’s line-up. The Arsenal academy graduate grew up in Islington, near to the Emirates Stadium, and has been at the north London club since the age of nine.

As a homegrown product, Lewis-Skelly’s rapid progression to the England squad earned a glowing tribute from his manager. “Very proud of him,” said Arteta, whose team host Chelsea in the Premier League 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 Myles.” Lewis-Skelly started his career as a midfielder and his first Arsenal goal in January, a brilliant solo effort in the 5-1 rout of Manchester City, caught Tuchel’s eye. Now used mostly as a left-back for Arsenal, the youngster is one of four uncapped players in Tuchel’s squad.

“It’s a story that gives a lot of hope to young players,” Arteta said. “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 claimed on Friday that the 27-year-old had made himself available for selection after a self-imposed absence of more than two years. The defender, who was not in the England 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,” Arteta said.