Arsenal wonderkid 'closely monitored' by Thomas Tuchel as 'discussions' held over England call-up

The 18-year-old has unexpectedly become Mikel Arteta's first-choice left-back in the current season, usurping all of Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney in the Gunners' pecking order.

Calafiori was seemingly signed to be the Gunners' first choice in that position when he joined from Bologna last summer, but the Italian has been relegated to second fiddle behind the teenage Lewis-Skelly in recent weeks.

The 2006-born prospect has now made 20 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions this season, scoring his first senior goal for the Gunners in their 5-1 Premier League decimation of Manchester City last weekend.

Lewis-Skelly has been named in the first XI for seven of Arsenal's last nine Premier League matches, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the youngster's exploits have caught the eye of Tuchel.

England 'hold talks' over possible Lewis-Skelly call-up

Romano claims that Tuchel and his backroom team are keeping a watchful eye on Lewis-Skelly's progress under Arteta's wing, and there have been 'internal discussions' over a March call-up.

Tuchel will take charge of his first two England matches next month, as the Three Lions begin their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign at home to Albania and Latvia on March 21 and 24 respectively.

Lewis-Skelly has represented England from Under-16 to Under-19 level, captaining the latter team on three occasions, although he is yet to make his debut for Lee Carsley's Under-21s.

However, Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo memorably skipped the Under-21 development step and was promoted straight to Gareth Southgate's senior squad last year, eventually playing a pivotal role in England's run to the Euro 2024 final.

Lewis-Skelly and his Arsenal teammates are currently enjoying a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, after which they will return to action away to Leicester City in the Premier League next Saturday.

Does Lewis-Skelly deserve an England call-up?

At a time where Arsenal have been letting talents such as Chido Obi Martin, Ayden Heaven and Reuell Walters slip through the cracks, Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have shown that there is still a path to the first team from Hale End for the most exceptional talents.

The 18-year-old has made a seamless transition to a left-back role from a defensive midfield position, but as is customary with Arteta's full-backs, Lewis-Skelly has inverted into the centre of the pitch with consummate ease.

From there, the England Under-19 international displays no fear whatsoever when driving at backlines, while also demonstrating his expertise at winning free kicks and dribbling out of tight spots.

If those qualities were not enough to convince Tuchel, the newly-appointed England boss is not exactly spoiled for choice at left-back given that Luke Shaw is injured and Ben Chilwell has been out in the cold at Chelsea for months.

Newcastle United's Lewis Hall, Ipswich Town's Leif Davis and Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell are seemingly Tuchel's other two best bets right now, but the 51-year-old has no reason not to consider Lewis-Skelly, who has been labelled 'England's best left-back' at this moment in time.

Written by

Ben Knapton