‘It hasn’t happened because he was lucky’ says Arteta | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta insists Myles Lewis-Skelly’s England call-up is no fluke, praising the teenager’s relentless drive and rapid rise at Arsenal.

Daily Mirror 15 Mar 2025 BY NEIL McLEMAN

Mikel Arteta has hailed Myles Lewis-Skelly’s call-up to the senior England squad as a product of his own hard work rather than luck, insisting that the teenager has earned every opportunity that has come his way.

Lewis-Skelly, 18, has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Arsenal, making his senior debut in September’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City and establishing himself as a key part of Arteta’s squad.

Now, he has been rewarded with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

“I was very impressed with him in the States when he came on, for example, against Liverpool as a sub and he started to compete against those guys in the frontline,” Arteta said.

“I was like, ‘We have a player here.’

Photo via Arsenal on Instagram

“We are all really, really happy at his call-up because it’s a nice story and a story that gives a lot of hope to a lot of young players – that in six or seven months your career can change dramatically, drastically for the good.

“It’s something for people to be inspired by. It hasn’t happened because he was lucky. He pushed for every chance to happen.”

Tuchel’s decision to include Lewis-Skelly in his first squad came amid broader discussions about youth development in the national setup, with the England boss noting that conversations around the teenager’s selection had a “protective and parental vibe.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Arteta, who has worked closely with the 18-year-old since his promotion from the Arsenal Academy, acknowledged that responsibility but stressed that Lewis-Skelly’s performances have made his inclusion unavoidable.

“That’s what Myles transmits – that willingness to win, that willingness to compete at any level against any opposition regardless of his age. He is very intelligent, very willing and very physical.”

The Arsenal manager also highlighted the growing presence of an English core at the club, following in the footsteps of a previous generation under Arsène Wenger, when long-term deals were handed to young British talents like Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Aaron Ramsey.

Arsenal’s British core

With Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, who has joined the England Under-21 squad, emerging alongside established stars Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Ben White, Arteta believes this identity remains crucial to the club’s ethos.

“It is very important culturally because of our history and we’re an English club, to have that DNA that represents us as a club and then having a lot of academy players as well,” he said.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

“It attaches people to the football club, it makes them proud.

“Everybody wants to see academy players and English players driving and being the face of the football club. It’s really important.

“They are doing great and there’s a bright future ahead of them.”