Last updated on March 23, 2025
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Myles Lewis-Skelly’s strike within 20 minutes of his first England game earned him the man of the match award.
Image credit: FabrizioRomano
In October 2024, Myles Lewis-Skelly was playing for Arsenal’s Under-21s in an EFL Trophy match against MK Dons.
Fast forward just six months, and the young full-back has already cemented his name in England’s history books.
On Friday night, under the bright lights of Wembley, the 18-year-old scored on his senior England debut, marking the beginning of the Thomas Tuchel era with a composed finish in a 2-0 victory over Albania.
At just 18 years and 176 days old, Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player ever to score for England on his debut.
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His goal, a clinical strike from Jude Bellingham’s perfectly timed pass, set the tone for an impressive performance—one that left fans, teammates, and pundits in awe.
A Star in the Making
Despite his historic achievement, Lewis-Skelly admitted he was “lost for words” when interviewed post-match.
However, his Arsenal teammate Declan Rice had plenty to say about the rising star.
“He is fearless,” Rice told ITV. “He does everything right off the pitch and he is only 18. I knew he was going to play like that tonight because of the confidence he has. He has kept his feet on the ground, and this is only the start for him.”
New England boss Thomas Tuchel echoed the praise, describing Lewis-Skelly as an “amazing player” with an equally “amazing personality.”
“He was amazing in camp,” said Tuchel. “He is full of confidence, full of humor, and such an open and mature character. Everything you see on the pitch, you see off the pitch.
👀✨ Thomas Tuchel: “Myles Lewis-Skelly came into camp and showed straight away that it’s so normal to fall in LOVE with him!”. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1fsjWkVwD6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 21, 2025
He became part of the group straight away, and it’s very impressive. He plays football with natural confidence, and that showed tonight.”
Former England defender Matt Upson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, went even further, calling Lewis-Skelly’s performance “absolutely superb.”
“To manage and handle that occasion in the manner he did, despite having limited senior football experience, really speaks volumes about how good a player he is and how far he can go,” Upson said.
Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
It has been an extraordinary season for Lewis-Skelly, who has played more games than even he might have anticipated.
His breakout moment came last summer during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in the United States, where he impressed Mikel Arteta enough to earn a first-team debut against Manchester City in September.
Since then, he has gone on to make 26 appearances for the Gunners, proving his worth as a vital part of Arteta’s squad.
Jude Bellingham assist to Myles Lewis-Skelly
— Rk (@RkFutbol) March 23, 2025
Poetry in motion 🪄✨ pic.twitter.com/8bgaDZ2tmN
Alongside fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly represents the next generation of Arsenal talent breaking into the senior team.
Former Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole acknowledged his rise but urged caution, reminding fans of the challenges young players face.
“He has burst onto the scene in the last year and a half. He just has to keep playing well for Arsenal and England. But you have to be careful with these young players—they’re special and precious, and you have to take your time with them.”
Challenges Along the Way
While his rise has been rapid, it hasn’t been without difficulties. The young full-back has already experienced the highs and lows of senior football.
In January, he was sent off against Wolves, only for the red card to be rescinded on appeal.
A month later, he received another red card in a loss to West Ham, reminding him that even the best players face setbacks.
However, Lewis-Skelly’s resilience and ability to bounce back have been defining traits of his young career.
‘He Backs Himself & We Back Him’ – The Making of Lewis-Skelly
A significant part of his success can be attributed to the support system around him.
Former Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker, now the club’s academy manager, has known Lewis-Skelly since he was a child and has closely followed his development.
“I don’t think there was a specific moment when we knew he would make it to the first team,” Mertesacker said earlier this year.
“I knew Myles from when he was an under-12, going to youth tournaments, experiencing the ups and downs. Sometimes you win, and everyone is excited—sometimes you lose, and you start crying. It’s all part of the journey.”
One of Lewis-Skelly’s most impressive qualities is his ability to thrive under pressure. Mertesacker believes this trait is what sets him apart.
“With Myles, whatever challenges we put in front of him, he seems comfortable and ready. That’s his main strength—staying cool in high-pressure moments. That gives him a great chance to succeed at the highest level.”
His mother, Marcia Lewis, has also played a crucial role in keeping him grounded.
She runs NO1Fan.Club, a platform that supports parents navigating the challenges of youth football and helps young players explore alternative career paths if they don’t make it professionally.
Speaking to BBC Sport last September, she offered a reality check on her son’s status:
“He is not an Arsenal first-team player yet; he is still an academy player. He has not ‘made it.’ He backs himself, we back him, but the realities are what they are… he is competing with multi-million-pound players from all over the world.”
The Future: What’s Next for Lewis-Skelly?
While it is still early days, Lewis-Skelly’s debut performance for England has set the stage for what could be a remarkable international career.
His ability to seamlessly transition from academy football to the senior stage shows his immense potential.
As Tuchel begins his tenure as England manager, Lewis-Skelly could be one of the key figures shaping the future of the national team.
