Arteta ‘very proud’ of inspirational Lewis-Skelly following England call

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes Myles Lewis-Skelly’s swift rise to prominence should act as inspiration to other young players.

Lewis-Skelly made his first-team debut in September and just six months later was today called into the senior England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.

The 18-year-old has made the left-back position his own at the Emirates with a string of impressive performances and Arteta was delighted his progress has been recognised.

He said: “We are all really, really happy because it’s a really nice story and a story that gives a lot of hope to a lot of young players and that in six, seven months your career can change dramatically, drastically for the good. So it’s something for people to be inspired by. I think it hasn’t happened because he was lucky. I think he pushed for every chance to happen and the way he’s done it.

“Very proud. Very proud of him. 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, so very happy.”

💬 “I’m very proud of him. It’s a huge moment for him and for the club as well.”

Mikel Arteta reacts to Myles Lewis-Skelly receiving his first call-up to England’s senior team ❤️

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 14, 2025

Don’t compare Lewis-Skelly with Nwaneri – Arteta

Another Arsenal teenager, Ethan Nwaneri, was also expected to be called up but he missed out this time and was instead named in the Under-21s.

Arteta is sure Nwaneri’s time will come but insisted it was important he and Lewis-Skelly were allowed to make progress individually.

He added: “Any comparison there I don’t think is right. I think they have a very similar pathway because obviously they played so many years together but after that they’re going to have different moments and each career will be unique and individual for them and they’re going to have to earn it and what one does is not going to reflect or affect the other one in a positive or negative way so that needs to be totally independent. 

“It’s great, it’s a luxury to have someone that you spend so much time, trust and love next to you on that journey, use it in that way, that’s it and the rest is a way away.”

Chelsea game will be tough, says boss Arteta

Arsenal face Chelsea on Sunday looking to build on their midweek progression in the Champions League and claim their first Premier League win in a month.

Arteta knows it won’t be easy, however, against Enzo Maresca’s side.

He said: “I think two teams that want to be very dominant in the way of playing, are very aggressive on the high press and the way we want to have the ball. A lot of individual quality on that pitch so it’s about imposing what you want and the direction that you want to take the game and keep them very far from their strengths. I think that’s going to be a key thing as well.”

Arsenal won the corresponding fixture 5-0 last season but Arteta is not expecting a repeat.

“I think it’s going to be a very different game,” he said. “I think the way they have developed as a team as well is very impressive, what they’ve done on the coaching staff, the amount of talent that they have in the squad. So yes, a really tough match.”