'Myles Lewis-Skelly has major decision to make at Arsenal after England debut'

03/23/2025 05:00 AM

Myles Lewis-Skelly now has to make a crucial choice back at Arsenal after scoring on his England debutwhich could affect the rest of his career.

Lewis-Skelly was the man-of-the-match after scoring in the 2-0 win over Albania, as England started their World Cup qualification campaign with a win.

The youngster has broken through this season under Mikel Arteta and there are suggestions his brilliant form will help Arsenal save “millions” in the transfer market.

Thanks to a top draw performance in his first outing in a Three Lions shirt, Lewis-Skelly has a major decision to make, that will likely define how he is ultimately remembered.

Is Myles Lewis-Skelly happy to be a left-back for the rest of his Arsenal career?

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Chelsea left-back Scott Minto spoke about how impressed he was with the 18-year-old, evening likening him to former Arsenal and Chelsea star, Ashley Cole.

The former Charlton defender also suggested that should Lewis-Skelly be happy to play left-back for the rest of his career, having initially started as a central-midfielder, he could secure himself a pathway to major success saying (1.51pm, 22 March): "He'll have to make a decision in his head, is he in the Arsenal first-team just to play games right now and then eventually become that midfielder? Or is he happy to be a left-back for the rest of his career.

"If he's happy to be the left-back for the rest of his career, I genuinely think with the ability that he's got and if he's able to keep his feet on the ground and stay motivated, he can be England's left-back for the next 10 years. He can be like an Ashley Cole.

"Whether he can be as good as Ashley Cole, we'll wait and see, but I think he's got the attributes to."

Myles Lewis-Skelly proves he has the talent to marshal Arsenal’s midfield

Football Insider Verdict

Whilst Bukayo Saka’s hamstring surgery and Kai Havertz’s ACL injury have been critical moments in Arsenal’s season, there is another gaping hole in their squad right now.

Arteta is a cautious manager, tactically speaking, and his choice of running a midfield trio with two defensive minded midfielders is telling of his desire to protect his backline.

However, it also speaks to the lack of a true box-to-box option available to the Spaniard.

When Thomas Partey partners Declan Rice, a huge burden is placed upon the shoulders of Martin Odegaard to provide attacking impetus for Arsenal.

The solution? Lewis-Skelly is obviously supremely gifted defensively and his goal for England showed his talents going forward.

Arteta clearly already trusts the 18-year-old and it is time for him to be moved to his more natural position, bossing the centre of the park, whilst also having the natural defensive instincts to provide protection for the Gunners’ back-line.

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