‘He does everything right’ – the remarkable rise of Lewis-Skelly

Myles Lewis-Skelly started for Arsenal’s Under-21s against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy in October. He is an England goal scorer less than six months later.

In a 2-0 win over Albania at Wembley, the Gunners full-back continued his remarkable rise with the first goal of the Thomas Tuchel era.

Lewis-Skelly scored from Jude Bellingham’s precise 20th-minute through ball, making him the youngest player ever to do so on his senior England debut at the age of 18 and 176 days.

Lewis-Skelly admitted to being “lost for words” when he attempted to take it all in when he was interviewed on the pitch shortly after Friday’s game.

Declan Rice, his Arsenal teammate, did the talking for him.

Rice told ITV, “He is fearless.” He is only 18 years old and does everything right off the bat.

Because of his level of confidence, I knew he would play that tonight.

“He has only just started,” he said, “and it is only the beginning.”

When asked about Lewis-Skelly’s performance, New England manager Tuchel described him as an “amazing player” and an “amazing personality.”

The German remarked, “He was amazing in camp.” He has such an open and mature character and is full of self-assurance and humor.

The phrase “everything you see on a pitch is what you see off.” It’s very impressive that he was a member of the group right away. He plays football with a natural confidence, which is how he does it.

Matt Upson, a former England defender, described the youngster’s evening as “brilliant evening” while broadcasting the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.

Upson remarked, “I think he was absolutely fantastic.” With the very limited senior football he has had, “to manage and handle that occasion in the manner that he did really speaks volumes about how good a player he is and how far he can go.”

Lewis-Skelly has had a busy season, playing more games than he might have anticipated after impressing on Arsenal’s US pre-season tour.

Lewis-Skelly has appeared for Mikel Arteta’s side 26 times since making his debut against Manchester City in September, while Ethan Nwaneri, a recent academy graduate, also regularly plays.

Left-back Ashley Cole, a former England, Arsenal, and Chelsea player, stated to BBC Sport earlier this week: “Lewis-Skelly has] burst onto the scene in the last year and a half. He must continue to excel for Arsenal and England’s senior team.

However, I would caution against playing these young players because they are unique, precious, and need your attention at times.

The young full-back hasn’t had a smooth ride despite their rapid rise.

Per Mertesacker, a former Arsenal centre-back, has known Lewis-Skelly since he was a member of the under-12 squad when he first joined the Gunners at the age of nine, and now runs the academy.

When you consider that left-back is not even his natural position, the Islington-born youngster’s rise is even more impressive.

He started out in an “inverted” full-back role after graduating from the academy as a central midfielder, but he has since developed as a strong player.

Mertesacker said earlier this year, “I don’t believe there’s a particular moment where you think you think he would have a good chance of making the first team.”

Myles was a youngster who I knew from the beginning, going to youth tournaments, and having his ups and downs. Sometimes you win and everyone is cheering, but occasionally you lose and start crying.

“It’s just about comprehending the journey of each person,” he said.

Whatever difficulties we present to Myles, he seems very comfortable and prepared.

Marcia Lewis, the mother of Lewis-Skelly, is well-versed in the dangers of a young player’s early career.

She runs NO1Fan, a platform. Club, that offers parents a resource for young football players who are struggling and shows alternative paths in the field for those who don’t quite make it.

Lewis described her son as “an academy player” who had not “made it,” in a statement to BBC Sport in September.

He defends himself, and we defend him, but reality is that he is battling multi-million dollar players from all over the world.

Lewis-Skelly’s rise was attributed in large part to Mertesacker’s “unconditional support and” a” really good foundation from home.”