Mike Arteta says Myles Lewis-Skelly’s England call-up will give ‘a lot of hope’ to other youngsters and claims it’s unfair to compare him with Ethan Nwaneri
- Myles Lewis-Skelly was awarded an England call-up by boss Thomas Tuchel
- Mikel Arteta has said it will give ‘a lot of hope’ to other youngsters in the UK
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why the League Cup final is Newcastle’s to lose
Mike Arteta said Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise to a debut England call-up will give ‘a lot of hope’ to other youngsters across the country.
The 18-year-old was this morning called up to the Three Lions squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania this month.
It follows an astonishing ascent from sitting on the Arsenal bench before December to making the England squad.
Arteta said: ‘We were all really, really happy because it’s a really nice story and a story that gives a lot of hope to a lot of young players and that in six or seven months your career can change dramatically, drastically for the good. It’s something for people to be inspired.
‘I think it hasn’t happened because he was lucky. I think he pushed for every chance to happen and the way he’s done it. So, yeah, good example.’
Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri, 17, was named in the England Under 21 squad. He, too, has ascended rapidly at the same time as Lewis-Skelly.
Mike Arteta said Myles Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise to a debut England call-up will give ‘a lot of hope’ to other youngsters across the country
The 18-year-old was this morning called up to the Three Lions squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania this month
It follows an astonishing ascent from sitting on the Arsenal bench before December to making the England squad
But Arteta thinks any comparison between the call-ups would be unfair.
‘Any comparison there I don’t think is right,’ he said.
‘I think they have a very similar pathway because obviously they’ve played so many years together, but after that they’re going to have different moments and each career will be unique and individual for them and they’re going to have to earn it.
‘And what one does is not going to reflect or affect the other one in a positive or negative way, so that needs to be totally independent.’
On the boost of English young talent making the step up, Arteta added: ‘I think everybody wants to see academy players and English players driving and being the face of the football club, I think it’s really important. I think it has to happen organically; you cannot force it, especially with those two (Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri).
‘Now it’s really good news because they deserve to be where they are, they are doing great and there’s a bright future ahead of them.’
