Photo from Freepik
Morning all.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has been handed his first England senior call-up by Thomas Tuchel for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Thankfully, he’ll have Declan Rice to support him through his time away with England. There’s no place for Ethan Nwaneri in Tuchel’s squad which on one hand I’m glad about but he’d have probably played less under Tuchel than he now will under Carsley’s under 21’s.
Personally, I think it’s too early for Lewis-Skelly to be in England’s senior squad although I can understand why Tuchel has selected him. Myles Lewis-Skelly must be feeling on top of the world though as every footballer probably dreams of playing for their country. His family must be so proud too, especially as he’s only been playing for Arsenal’s first team this season.
He and Ethan Nwaneri really are a good example of when one door shuts, another opens. I’ve no idea if either would have played as much football as they have had injuries not hit the squad but their chance came and both have taken it. Other young players need to perhaps take note before believing the grass will be greener elsewhere.
Mikel Arteta in his pre-match press conference on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s first England call-up:
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.
On if he’s been involved with Thomas Tuchel:
No, but I’m sure that that will be the case, and Thomas is a top coach. I know a few people around him and the set-up in England and I have no doubt they will do the right thing with him.
Let’s hope Mikel Arteta is right.
As for Ben White, this couple of international fixtures comes too soon for Ben White. Talking about our right back, Tuchel said:
He’d love to be back in the squad. I just think it’s a bit too early now given the seriousness of the injury that he had. We are honoured speaking to him, speaking to Ben, delighted that he’s back on the bench. Now it’s just a question of getting more minutes, more rhythm. He wants to be back.
Another topic Mikel Arteta touched on during his press conference was about how important it is for Arsenal to have a core of English players was interesting and kind of backs up the stuff which was in the newspapers about the club focussing on Academy players perhaps more so than before. We know Arsene Wenger gave a lot of academy players a chance, certainly in the domestic cups but as good as some of those players were, they weren’t at the level needed to play for Arsenal. So yes, to see two young English players come through the academy and make a seamless transition to the first team is something to cherish. By the sounds of it, a few more academy players could join them over the next year or two.
Think of all the millions the club will save if our academy production line keeps of producing players….
Those who don’t make it at Arsenal or need another season or two before making it into the first team squad, well I hope our new sporting director, reported to be Andrea Berta, gets a grip of their contracts and departures. We can’t afford to be letting “potential” leave for nothing or for a minuscule fee. Same goes for our players who end up running down their contracts before leaving for free. This summer we are set to lose Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney for nothing.
Man City raised a lot of eyebrows I’m sure when they gave Haaland an eight year contract extension but perhaps that’s not such a bad idea really. These days contracts mean little I know but what it does is give the club the player is signed up to, the assurance of receiving a transfer fee when/if that player wants to leave. Not every player needs that kind of contract I know but for the best, of which we have a few, perhaps longer contracts are something Arsenal should/could consider.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico
I’m glad that Ben White has made himself available for selection for England, it will hopefully put paid to some of the snide comments by sections of the sports media. It is now clear that Ben was not happy with the behaviour of Southgate’s coaching team, of which Carsley, the England U 21 coach, was part of. We must hope that Nwaneri is treated better than Ben was.
Morning Cicero, all.
Just enjoyed a nice walk with the hound in the sunshine.
Ditto re White, shut those idiots up and hopefully, England might be more watchable.
Dog and sunshine, nothing like them to get you out of the house. Except for a Tupperware party. 😉
Ha ha… or a car boot sale..
Good afternoon Rico and all
Nothing beats a post on the success of the academy in producing stars for the first team. I enjoyed reading that.
I know this is a long far fetched shot, nay impossible to happen, but wouldn’t it be awesome to have a first 11 (in any game mind you even in FA/Carabao cups) if we draw a lower division team made up entirely of academy products. Obviously with some of them, like Saka, Skelly, Nwaneri when they would be in the mid to late 20s and in the meantime the club would have produced a few more who would be in their early 20s and the manager, whoever he is fills the remaining few places with young pros. Let’s say Josh Nicholls and Maldini Kacurri break through next year. That would be five players from Hale End.
Arteta has said that he sees MLS as a potential 6 or 8. Infact he played at LB because we had an injury crisis. He hasn’t looked back.
So expect him to remain a LB for this season. But I can assume that next season will see him as a midfielder and will only play at LB as an emergency. That is why I said that next year might see Nicholls breaking through. Currently we have White, Calafiori, Timber as lateral defenders. Only Tommy will remain of the other FBs, at least till January.
That’s why I said that MLS will be a midfielder next season. That’s where he will play in pre season. So that makes Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Merino, MLS as midfielders. Nwaneri will play both as a midfielder (in MO08s place) and on the right wing (BS07)