Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly was a notable absentee from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the November internationals following a slow start to the season
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta has given his verdict on Myles Lewis-Skelly's England axe
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Mikel Arteta has vowed to support Myles Lewis-Skelly after his England axe, despite telling the defender his omission may be for the “right reason”. The Arsenal star was included in Thomas Tuchel’s previous selection but was a notable omission for the November internationals.
Lewis-Skelly, 19, has made six appearances for his country so far, having been included in each of the last four squads. Giving his verdict on the left-back’s axe, Arteta has suggested that there may be a genuine reason behind Tuchel’s decision.
"Yes, for sure, we are here to support and to help each other and give a good perspective of the situation," the Arsenal boss said when asked if Lewis-Skelly needed reassurance.
He added: "When you look at his age, what he's already done, he's just remarkable. So don't look at the one [bad] moment what is happening for you because maybe it happens for the right reason and today you cannot see it."
Tuchel was also asked about his decision to drop Lewis-Skelly and while he was full of praise, he admitted that the Arsenal man has simply fallen down the pecking order due to a lack of club action.
"Myles was a very good team-mate and played for us in the last camp in the World Cup qualifier in Riga, so was Ruben Loftus-Cheek, so was Morgan Gibbs-White and James Trafford," Tuchel said.
"But I said last time there is a component to it that it's about competition and performance and the door is always open for guys who perform on a regular and high level.
"Myles, Ruben and Morgan got out-performed by Nico O'Reilly, Alex Scott, Nick Pope and Jude [Bellingham] in their positions. Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes. Now came a time when Nico O'Reilly had so many starts in that position, so he is slightly ahead for this camp."
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Lewis-Skelly has made six appearances for England so far
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Lewis-Skelly has endured a slow start to the season from a club standpoint. After making 42 appearances for Arsenal last season, the 19-year-old has been afforded 12 outings this term, but only four of them have been starts.
Lewis-Skelly is also yet to be named in the starting XI in the Premier League. Asked about his lack of action earlier this season, he said: “The standards are high and everyone wants to play.
“Because the levels are so much higher this season, places are short, but you’ve just got to compete. At the end of the day, I just want to express myself. Football’s what I love and I’ll never make excuses if I am playing or not. I just want to go out there and express myself. As long as I’m doing that, I’m giving the gaffer a choice to make.”
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