Arsenal star told his World Cup opportunity is ‘up for grabs’ but he must do one thing first

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Several Arsenal stars face a crucial year of action as international players eye a spot at the 2026 World Cup.

While the focus for the Arsenal squad right now will be eyeing Premier League and Champions League glory, form has a greater meaning to a handful of players. 

The majority of players dream of representing their country, something that Mikel Arteta has had to contend with throughout the season due to international breaks. 

Arsenal have representatives from all over the globe in the squad, with it expected that the number of England internationals in Arteta’s ranks will rise over the next 12 months. 

• READ MORE: Gary Lineker reveals his opinion on Arsenal has changed significantly

Myles Lewis-Skelly backed to claim England squad spot

Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are crucial members of the England squad, who are braced for change as Thomas Tuchel takes the reins.

Tuchel’s arrival could also see Ben White restored to the Three Lions but, the right-back isn’t the only one to be in with a shot at international glory.

Sources close to Arsenal Insider revealed that Myles Lewis-Skelly has been watched by England scouts due to his recent performances, with the left-back in line to earn his first senior call up.

Such has been relayed by pundits Micah Richards and Gary Lineker, who shared their belief that Lewis-Skelly deserves a call up to Tuchel’s squad.

Discussing the England squad on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards made a claim for left-back’s Lewis-Skelly and Lewis Hall. 

“Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly,” Richards said, to which Lineker suggested that the Three Lions’ future at left-back is in good hands.

“The interesting thing is left-back has been a problem position for England but that doesn’t seem to be the case now with those two players you just mentioned.”

Richards went on to inform both players that the spot in the squad is there to take advantage of, giving the Arsenal starlet something to aim for other than his domestic rise.

“For Newcastle and Arsenal they’ve been excellent this season, it’s a position that’s up for grabs isn’t it?”

Hall and Lewis-Skelly have been compared due to their positional growth, with both talents being similar in their approach to play, something that could give Tuchel a major boost for the future.

Crucial year ahead for Lewis-Skelly

Having started the season as merely a rising star, Lewis-Skelly has turned such narrative on its head, rocketing to be Arteta’s first choice at left-back.

So much so that the 18-year-old has usurped summer signing Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order, telling of just how highly Arteta regards him. 

The challenge for the teenager now is to emulate the rise that Hall has had at Newcastle in order to pip the fellow full-back for a starting spot in Tuchel’s XI ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

As well as being an exceptional player playing far beyond his years, the teenager has a mature head, being a player unafraid to make his presence at senior level known.

Despite being very early into his senior career, the next logical step would be for Lewis-Skelly to earn international attention, which could come very soon for the Hale End graduate.