Arsenal are revelling in the success of their academy products with the latest international break providing evidence of the club’s growth.
Hale End duo of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both been called up on international duty following their incredible introduction into the Arsenal first-team squad this season.
Mikel Arteta will continue to protect his young players from the growing spotlight on them but Arsenal’s academy are producing technically-gifted players on a regular basis for the Spanish boss.
Nwaneri will feature for the England U21 side for the first time whilst Lewis-Skelly has been called up by Thomas Tuchel to feature in the senior squad, alongside his Gunners team mate Declan Rice.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice praise former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale
Speaking on the England men’s football team’s official YouTube channel, Gunners duo Lewis-Skelly and Rice were asked to name their dream five-a-side team within the current England squad.
Within their choices, there was unanimous high praise for former Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who made both of their respective teams.
Rice stated: “I’m going Rambo [Ramsdale] in goal. Because he’s my boy and he loves playing like constantly when he was at Arsenal, he just used to come for five-a-side all the time.”
Lewis-Skelly also replied with support for Ramsdale, he explained: “Similar to you, I’m going to go Rambo, he has that quality, he knows what he’s doing.”
Rice’s five-a-side team comprised of Ramsdale, Dan Burn, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane whilst for Lewis-Skelly, he compiled his team of Ramsdale, Kyle Walker, Curtis Jones, Phil Foden and Harry Kane.
Ramsdale was victim of David Raya’s Arsenal success
Ramsdale make a significant impact upon joining Arsenal and instantly elevated their ability to build up from the back upon his arrival in the summer of 2021.
The England goalkeeper made 89 appearances in total during his time at the Emirates Stadium and kept 32 clean sheets, including one on his debut in a 1-0 win over Norwich City.
Arteta admitted it was difficult to let Ramsdale go but the 26-year-old had lost his place to David Raya and then made a high profile error against Brentford upon a brief return to the side in March 2024.
Ramsdale will always be remembered fondly by Arsenal fans however and is still proving himself on the Premier League and world stage with Southampton and England respectively.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
