Former Arsenal left-back Nigel Winterburn has tipped Myles Lewis-Skelly for an immediate England call-up, who says his impressive start to his career is “no surprise”.
Lewis-Skelly, 18, only made his debut last September but has been a regular starter at full-back for Mikel Arteta for 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.
Speaking of road William Hill Vegas Winterburn said: “I followed Myles through the youth system and his preferred position was always as a midfielder.
“He is a strong ball carrier and has to learn certain positional skills at left-back, but playing upside down is not a problem for him because he is so comfortable taking the ball under pressure.
“He’s developed so quickly, but it doesn’t surprise me – I knew there was a lot of potential for him going forward, I just didn’t know in what position.
Gabriel Martinelli says Myles Lewis-Skelly has the potential to be ‘one of the best players in the world’ ❤️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/jNTR5TPC8o
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 18, 2025
“He’s almost trying to become Arsenal’s full-time left-back, which is pretty amazing. He is enjoying playing at a big club and is a poised youngster who will continue to improve.
“When everyone is ready, they will ask Mikel to make a decision. That’s all you can do. He deserves to play.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko started 20 Premier League games last season, but Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have been Arteta’s preferred options this year.
However, with Timber playing on the right to replace the injured Ben White and injuries hampering Calafiori’s first season, the door is open for Lewis-Skelly.
A similar opportunity could be planned 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 much of the run to the Euro 2024 finals.
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 is there.
“There’s a big opportunity for somebody,” Winterburn said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s in the next team. He put himself in the picture with his form.
“England have so many injuries at left-back and it’s not like he has to replace someone of Ashley Cole’s caliber – who was the best left-back in the world.
“Luke Shaw has injury problems, Ben Chilwell doesn’t fit in at Chelsea so there will be three or four players who will think they have a chance to start there and Myles is one of them.”
