Myles Lewis-Skelly omission from England squad. Lewis-Skelly’s surprise absence from the England squad for its WC qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade created debate among fans and pundits alike. After a fantastic season with Arsenal, in which the 18-year old is an up and coming star, manager Thomas Tuchel left him off of the matchday squad.
A Whirlwind Rise
Myles Lewis-Skelly gets his rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Just months earlier, he was largely unknown, listed on the Arsenal academy page. But he quickly started to become an important player to the Gunners. He made 26 appearances in all competitions over the 2024-25 campaign excelling in both the Premier League and UCL. His extraordinary rise came in light by making senior England debut in March 2025. There he became the youngest-ever debutant goalscorer, scoring a goal in a 2-0 win against Albania.
🗣️"A tactical and physical decision to leave Myles Lewis-Skelly out"
Rob Dorsett provides the latest team news ahead of England's World Cup qualifier away in Serbia tonightpic.twitter.com/LuIBmvxJJw
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 9, 2025
Reasons for the Omission
It seems the decision to have Lewis-Skelly omitted from the match was tactical. Tuchel said that all players were available to inlcude all four defenders were eligible, including Guehi, who was fitness concern. Under UEFA rules, only 23 players can be allocated the matchday squad and unfortunately Lewis-Skelly was a casualty. This indicates fierce competition for places, particularly with other options such that could likely will have been used to fill left-back (Djed Spence or Tino Livramento) for what is likely deemed a pressing game for the challenge of Serbia.
Furthermore, his omission allows him to rest before Arsenal’s crucial Premier League match against Nottingham Forest this weekend. This management of his workload is prudent given his sudden transition from academy football to a “high-performance life with very little break”.
A Learning Curve
Undoubtedly the teenager also has other areas of growth. There has been the matter of disciplinary challenges on the field too! Previously, the caution delivered was if the player did not make better decisions then Manager Mikel Arteta warned that “the line is really thin”. This means to remain true to himself without losing his little edge as a competitive player. This opportunity for reflection could serve him well in the longer term.
Looking Ahead
It is never nice to miss a national team call. But for Lewis-Skelly this will most likely just be a minor blip in a bright career. The new long-term deal with Arsenal until 2030 suggests just how much faith the club has in him. If Lewis-Skelly continues to develop and sharpen his game, and offer regular performances for his club and supporters, then he will no doubt resume his time in the squad for England. For now, this miss may simply be what we call a strategic break. It is before the start of what will become a fantastic time with the national team.