Why was Myles Lewis-Skelly dropped from the England squad? Mikel Arteta weighs in, but the real question is: Are we missing something bigger here?
In a move that has sparked conversations among football enthusiasts, Mikel Arteta has shared his perspective on the surprising omission of Myles Lewis-Skelly from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this decision a reflection of Lewis-Skelly’s recent struggles at Arsenal, or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Let’s dive in.
The 25-man squad for England’s upcoming fixtures against Serbia and Albania was unveiled on Thursday, and notably absent was Arsenal’s left-back, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who had been part of the October camp. This exclusion comes at a time when the young defender has been grappling for consistent playing time at his club. Meanwhile, his Arsenal teammates Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka have all secured their spots in Tuchel’s lineup. Other notable omissions include Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, James Trafford, and Ollie Watkins.
During his press conference on Friday, ahead of Arsenal’s match against Sunderland, Arteta was questioned about Lewis-Skelly’s situation. When asked if the 19-year-old needed support, Arteta’s response was both empathetic and insightful: ‘Absolutely, we’re here to support each other and provide perspective. It’s important not to focus solely on the moment but to understand the bigger picture. Sometimes, what seems like a setback might actually be a necessary step for growth.’
Arteta also addressed injury concerns within the squad, confirming that key players like Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, and Noni Madueke remain sidelined. When pressed about their potential return for Saturday’s game, he remained tight-lipped, stating, ‘I can’t confirm their availability just yet, but you’re not far off.’
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s north London derby on November 23 could see some of these absentees back in action. Arteta expressed optimism, noting, ‘It’s going to be a close call, but I’m hopeful they’ll be in a strong position by then.’
And this is the part most people miss: Saturday’s clash with Sunderland marks the first time Arsenal will face their former teammate Granit Xhaka since his departure in 2023. Xhaka’s time at Arsenal was marred by disciplinary issues, including five red cards and a public fallout with fans, which ultimately cost him the captaincy. However, he seems to have revitalized his career at Sunderland, earning praise from Arteta: ‘Letting him go wasn’t easy because I knew his value to the team. He made me a better coach and played a pivotal role in our development as a club. I’ll always be grateful for that. His impact at Sunderland has been nothing short of brilliant—one of the best summer signings, in my opinion.’
But here’s the controversial question: Did Arsenal make the right call in letting Xhaka go, or did they underestimate his potential to bounce back? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a debate!
