Myles Lewis-Skelly says he is determined to continue repaying the faith Arsenal have placed in him after receiving a first England call-up which left him “shouting around my house” in delight.
The 18-year-old left-back was included in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad on Friday for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
That was reward for some impressive displays since breaking into the Arsenal team this season, with the versatile teenager making his 26th senior appearance in Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Chelsea.
Quick GuideEngland squad
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Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Milan, on loan from Manchester City).
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa).
Forward: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, on loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
Victory saw Arsenal end a three-match winless run and close the gap on runaway leaders Liverpool to 12 points heading into the international break, where Lewis-Skelly could continue his rapid rise by winning his first England cap.
“I’m buzzing,” he told Arsenal’s website about being called up. “Honestly I was elated, just shouting around my house. Obviously I’m excited for what’s coming up, but you’ve always got to stay locked in on the present and not get too attached to the feeling that’s coming later down the line.”
Arteta handed the homegrown teenager his Arsenal debut against the defending Premier League champions, Manchester City, in September at the age of 17. Lewis-Skelly has gone on to become a key part of the squad during a breakthrough season.
“It’s all I can ask for really,” he said after Sunday’s derby victory. “I’m just so grateful to the team and the boss in trusting me, and I want to continue to repay them and be the best version of myself.”
Lewis-Skelly arrived at St George’s Park on Monday for England’s first training camp under manager Thomas Tuchel. Another England debutant, Dan Burn – who is 14 years older than the Arsenal youngster, arrived in Burton-on-Trent hours after helping Newcastle to a historic Carabao Cup success at Wembley.
“I’ve had worse weeks,” Burn told Sky Sports on Sunday. “I don’t want to go to sleep because I feel like I’m dreaming and it’s all going to be a lie. The centre-back insisted he would arrive early for England duty despite the team’s celebrations. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll be first there at eight o’clock,” he added.
Tuchel also welcomed England returnees Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford on the first day of training camp, with Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White arriving after a late call-up to replace the injured Cole Palmer.
England face Albania at Wembley on Friday evening, before taking on Latvia at the same venue on Monday 24 March. Tuchel’s side also face Serbia and Andorra in Group K of Uefa qualifying, with the group winners assured of a place at next year’s finals.