Myles Lewis-Skelly has been tipped for an instant England call-up by former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn, who said the teenager’s impressive start to his career was “no surprise”.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, only made his debut last September but has been a regular starter at full-back for Mikel Arteta over the past month.
Winterburn, who won three league titles and two FA Cups with Arsenal, says he has shown enough to deserve a chance for club and country.
Talk to 101 Big Goals via William Hill Las Vegas Winterburn said: “I followed Myles through the youth system and his favorite position was always midfielder.
“He is a good ball carrier and he needs to learn some positional skills at left back, but playing inside out is not a problem for him as he is very comfortable taking the ball under pressure.
“He’s developed so quickly, but it’s no surprise to me – I knew there was huge potential for him, but I didn’t know in what position.
Gabriel Martinelli says Myles Lewis-Skelly has the potential to become ‘one of the best players in the world’ ❤️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/jNTR5TPC8o
– Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 18, 2025
“He’s almost pushing to become Arsenal’s regular left-back, which is pretty incredible. He enjoys playing at a big club and he’s a balanced young man who will continue to progress.
“When everyone is fit, he will ask Mikel to make a decision. That’s all you can do. He deserves to play.
Oleksandr Zinchenko started 20 games in the Premier League last season, but this year Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are Arteta’s preferred options.
However, with Timber playing on the right to replace the injured Ben White, and injuries hampering Calafiori’s first season, the door has been opened for Lewis-Skelly.
A similar opportunity could be considered at the international level.
England have struggled at left-back in recent seasons with Luke Shaw regularly injured and Kieran Trippier – now retired from international duty – Gareth Southgate’s favorite man for most of the England final’s run. Euro 2024.
Myles Lewis-Skelly#U17EURO pic.twitter.com/nYXOxn7sOM
– UEFA U21 EURO (@UEFAUnder21) January 16, 2025
New manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first team in March and Winterburn would not be surprised if the Arsenal teenager was in attendance.
“There’s a huge opportunity for someone,” Winterburn said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he made the next team. He stood out with his shape.
“England have so many injuries at left-back and it’s not like they have to replace someone of the class of Ashley Cole – who was the best left-back in the world.
“Luke Shaw has injury problems, Ben Chilwell isn’t fitting in at Chelsea so there will be three or four players who think they have a chance of starting there and Myles is one of them. “
