As a step that comprehensively highlights the direct inter-relationship between club form and international selection, Myles Lewis-Skelly, an Arsenal player, is not a part in the most recent England squad of Thomas Tuchel in the November internationals against Serbia and Albania. England manager proved that the absence of regular playing time in Arsenal was the key to the 19-year-old defender.
Tuchel’s decision was framed not as a final judgment on Lewis-Skelly’s talent. But as a consequence of being “out-performed” by other players in his position. Those players are Nico O’Reilly, who have benefited from more consistent minutes. The England boss had previously included Lewis-Skelly in the October camp despite his limited role at club level. But indicated that there is a cross in line. “Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes,” Tuchel stated, emphasizing that selection is based on “competition and performance”.
A Message of Support from the Club
Manager Mikel Arteta reacted to the news with a supportive and perspective-driven message to the young defender. Arteta stated the club’s role is “to support and to help each other. Moreover it’s objective is to give a good perspective of the situation.” He encouraged Lewis-Skelly to view the setback as part of a larger journey. He remarked, “don’t look at the one moment of what is happening for you because maybe today it is happening for the right reason”.
🚨NEW | Myles Lewis-Skelly omitted from England’s November squad
Thomas Tuchel has left the 19-year-old out of the 26-man selection for World Cup qualifiers vs. Serbia & Albania. No injury—purely a tactical call prioritizing game time.
✅ Good news for Arsenal: Skelly stays… pic.twitter.com/XuVuWCvVJj
— Arsenal Team (@_ArsenalTeam) November 7, 2025
The Path Back to the Three Lions
Lewis-Skelly has been facing a crucial challenge of heightened competition of the left-back position at Arsenal. While Riccardo Calafiori has already come back to the track after the injury. He has also become a regular player in the club. Lewis-Skelly, in turn, has only been able to get 86 minutes in the Premier League this season. Although Arteta has given him a chance in the cup matches. He has started the 90-minute matches in both Carabao Cup matches.
"They got outperformed by Nico O'Reilly, Alex Scott, Nick Pope and Jude Bellingham"
"Myles [Lewis-Skelly] needs more minutes"
Thomas Tuchel explains why Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and James Trafford have been left out 🏴 pic.twitter.com/x2Z46pv5Lw
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 7, 2025
Author’s Opinion
The fact that he is not the part in the national team is a stark reminder of the expectations when in the top of the world. In the case of Lewis-Skelly, the road back to the plans of Tuchel is not necessarily easy, but simple: to receive more frequent playing time at the club level and to constantly confirm his talents. This is because the 2026 world cup is just around the corner and each match henceforth is now decisive towards selection.
As featured on GoonerNews.com