Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has already caused plenty of debate.
Cole Palmer and Phil Foden were the two biggest names to miss out, and their omissions have dominated much of the conversation around the World Cup selection.
Arsenal fans, however, will feel there is another player who deserved far more attention after being left at home.
Myles Lewis-Skelly ended the season in outstanding form for the Gunners, and Daniel Sturridge believes he belongs in the same conversation as Palmer and Foden.
🏆 Which Arsenal star will go the furthest at this summer’s World Cup?
Zubimendi and Spain? Saka and England? Saliba and France?
Daniel Sturridge says Myles Lewis-Skelly is in the same boat as Cole Palmer and Phil Foden
Lewis-Skelly’s rise at Arsenal has been remarkable.
The teenager spent much of his early first-team career being used at left-back, but his move into midfield late last season showed just how special he could become.
Lewis-Skelly looked powerful, composed and fearless in some of the biggest games Arsenal played all season. That included the Champions League final.
Lewis-Skelly impressed so much that even some PSG players were surprised he had not been included in England’s squad.
Sturridge seems to feel the same way.
While discussing England’s squad omissions, the former Liverpool striker grouped Lewis-Skelly with Palmer and Foden as players who had every reason to feel disappointed.
He said on ESPN FC: “Lewis-Skelly, the same (as Foden and Palmer). Winning the Premier League, playing in the Champions League final, doing what he did all towards the end of the season.
“He had a fantastic run going in, but unfortunately, the manager had other plans.”
👀 TRUE or FALSE: Mikel Arteta should NOT use Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back again…
Myles Lewis-Skelly would’ve been in the England squad if Mikel Arteta used him in midfield sooner
The frustrating thing for Lewis-Skelly is that his midfield run probably came just a little too late.
Once Mikel Arteta moved him into that role, he immediately looked like a player who belonged there. His strength, intelligence and ability to carry the ball through pressure gave Arsenal something different in the middle of the pitch.
Had he been playing there for several months rather than just the final weeks of the season, it is hard to believe that Thomas Tuchel would have ignored him.
England are not exactly overloaded with midfielders who offer that combination of physicality and technical quality.
That should still encourage Lewis-Skelly rather than frustrate him. He may have missed out this time, but if Arteta continues to use him in midfield next season, a permanent place in the England setup feels inevitable.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
