Why Myles Lewis-Skelly is starting for England but not Arsenal

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise has produced a puzzling sight this season: the 18-year-old who started regularly for Arsenal and scored on his England debut is a substitute at his club while remaining in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the national team.

Lewis-Skelly started 15 Premier League matches from December last season after being thrown into Arsenal’s first team during a defensive injury crisis. He carried that form into a senior England call-up, scoring about 20 minutes into his debut against Albania at Wembley, and featured prominently in Arsenal’s Champions League run, notably against Real Madrid. This season, however, he has logged just 44 minutes across two substitute appearances for Arsenal and did not come off the bench in the 1-0 defeat at Anfield. He started England’s recent 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra and remains under consideration for a likely left-back role for next summer’s World Cup in North America.

Arsenal insiders point to the rise of Riccardo Calafiori as the principal reason for Lewis-Skelly’s current lack of starts. Calafiori, 23, arrived from Bologna for about £42 million last season and, after a debut campaign limited by injury, has impressed coaches with his training return and match performances. Club staff say Calafiori’s experience and profile as an out-and-out defender have made him the more conservative selection in a defence that values positional discipline.

Statistical comparisons used by Arsenal coaches also back Calafiori’s selection for some match plans. On a per-league-game basis last season, Calafiori averaged more passes into the box (1.74 to 1.18), open-play crosses (1.01 to 0.66), total shots (0.91 to 0.20), shots on target (0.55 to 0.07) and forward passes (13.17 to 10.38) than Lewis-Skelly. Calafiori has also been appearing higher up the pitch this season and inverting into midfield more frequently, a role that can help Arsenal’s build-up though it carries defensive risks that were briefly exposed in a goal conceded after a counter in a match against Brentford.

Arsenal say the tactical shift and Calafiori’s form are not a judgement on Lewis-Skelly’s long-term prospects. Coaches have emphasised the youngster’s defensive qualities: last season he averaged more duels won per league game (6.04) than team-mates Gabriel Magalhães (3.84), William Saliba (4.50), Jurrien Timber (4.94) and Calafiori (5.85). His physicality and comfort on the ball were pivotal during a period in which he helped Arsenal secure second place in the Premier League amid a defensive injury crisis.

New assistant coach Gabriel Heinze has been working specifically with Lewis-Skelly on attacking aspects of the left-back role, including crossing and creating from higher positions. Heinze, who won trophies as a player with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Argentina, has been tasked with broadening the 18-year-old’s attacking toolkit so he can fit into whichever left-sided role Arsenal require.

Lewis-Skelly’s progression has not been linear. He has attracted high-profile attention for combative displays — including standout performances against Manchester City and Real Madrid — but also endured significant setbacks. He received an erroneous red card at Wolves in January and was sent off again in a subsequent match against West Ham. He has also been subject to public criticism and online abuse after some decisions and incidents.

Despite those bumps, Arsenal have signalled their long-term commitment: Lewis-Skelly signed a five-year contract with his boyhood club in recent months and is regarded internally as one of the academy’s leading prospects alongside Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and others. Club sources stress that his rapid elevation from under-21 football to the first team was driven by exceptional circumstances last season and that the club remains satisfied with his development curve.

At the national level, Tuchel’s selection of Lewis-Skelly reflects England’s search for options at left back. Competition for that spot includes Luke Shaw, Djed Spence, and Newcastle's Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. Tuchel’s decision to start Lewis-Skelly against Andorra indicates the manager sees the youngster as a viable option for next summer’s tournament should he maintain form and fitness.

Arsenal insiders say the immediate pathway back into the club’s starting XI is straightforward in principle: continued improvement in training, the ability to adapt to Heinze’s attacking demands, and taking opportunities when they arise. For now, the club is managing his minutes while Calafiori offers a different profile that has suited Mikel Arteta’s tactical plans this season.

Lewis-Skelly’s situation is a reminder of the rapid swings in career trajectories for highly rated young players. Having already shown the defensive resilience and temperament to compete at the top level, he remains under contract and in the club’s plans as he seeks to regain a regular starting role at Arsenal and translate his England involvement into sustained club minutes.