Micah Richards tips Myles Lewis-Skelly for key Arsenal role after England win
Myles Lewis-Skelly has received strong backing from Micah Richards after the Arsenal academy product featured for England in their 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley. Richards believes the 20-year-old has the quality to become a regular in Mikel Arteta’s side despite growing competition across Arsenal’s midfield and defence.
Key details
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| England result | England 3-0 Czech Republic | Played at Wembley during the international break |
| Player | Myles Lewis-Skelly, 20 | Arsenal academy graduate |
| Arsenal competition | Rice, Odegaard, Calafiori, Guimaraes | Established options around midfield and defence |
Richards described Lewis-Skelly as one of his favourite players, pointing to a combination of technical ability, pace, power and football intelligence. He also stressed that the England appearance underlined how much room the youngster still has to develop.
The former defender recalled being struck by Lewis-Skelly’s display against Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final a couple of seasons ago. Richards said he had rarely seen such a complete performance from a player of that age, particularly against opposition of that level.
Lewis-Skelly’s route into Arteta’s first-choice team is not straightforward. Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard remain major figures in Arsenal’s midfield, while Riccardo Calafiori has been used at left-back. Arsenal have also added Bruno Guimaraes to their midfield options, increasing the pressure for places.
Even so, Richards argued that Lewis-Skelly should not be left waiting on the bench. He called the youngster among the finest young players he has watched at this stage of a career, describing him as an exceptional talent.
After England duty, Lewis-Skelly returns to north London with Arsenal entering a demanding run of fixtures. The schedule could provide the homegrown player with further opportunities to press his claim for a starting role and build on his latest international involvement.
