_**Ethan Nwaneri \[David Horton/SPP\]**_
IT proved an international break full of intent and promise from both an England – and an Arsenal – point of view.
Gifted Gunners full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly stole the headlines on Friday when he marked his senior debut for the Three Lions by scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Albania.
The 18-year-old then put in another solid display on Monday night as he helped England earn a clean sheet in their 3-0 victory against Latvia.
But that was just the tip of the iceberg for Arsenal’s young internationals. Other highlights included Ethan Nwaneri scoring on his first start for England’s Under-21s as they beat Portugal 4-2 in a friendly, while another of the Gunners’ promising teenagers, Max Dowman, grabbed a goal and two assists for England Under-17s.
Across the pitch and age groups Arsenal had a wealth of young talent on show, and going into the international break Mikel Arteta spoke of the importance of having a British core at the club.
“I think that’s great,” said the Gunners boss.
“I think it attaches people to the football club, it makes them proud. I think everybody wants to see academy players and English players driving and being the face of the football club.”
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have now fully established themselves in the Arsenal first-team squad alongside the likes of fit-again Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, while Ben White is another player tipped to be heading for an international recall following his self-imposed England exile.
Arteta said it’s “very important” for the club to have an English core, adding: “I think culturally, I think because of our history and we’re an English club, to have that DNA that represents us as a club and then having a lot of academy players as well, I think it’s something very, very positive, so I’m very proud of it.”
For now, it’s back to domestic business with Arsenal set to welcome Fulham to the Emirates on Tuesday in the Premier League, before travelling to Everton.
The title might be out of reach, but Arteta will still want to see his side pick up as many points as possible – not to mention the psychological boost a winning run would give his side ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Spanish giants Real Madrid.
While Arteta and his players will tell you it’s all about the next match and taking it one game at a time, deep down they are counting down the days before Madrid step out at the Emirates on Tuesday, April 8.
Arteta said: “I think we’re going to play against the club with the biggest and most history in the competition and I’m very excited to play against them, but before that we’ll have to have big matches in the Premier League.”