Why Myles Lewis-Skelly has been dropped by Thomas Tuchel for England vs Serbia, ‘medics have decided’

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Myles Lewis-Skelly will not feature in England’s upcoming clash with Serbia in Belgrade.

The 18-year-old was called up for duty again by Thomas Tuchel, being one of many Arsenal players in action over the September international break. 

For the first time this season, Lewis-Skelly completed 90 minutes of football when the Three Lions beat Andorra 2-0, a game in which Declan Rice scored. 

As many as four Arsenal players featured in England’s first fixture of the September break, but Lewis-Skelly will be absent from the next. 

Why Thomas Tuchel dropped Myles Lewis-Skelly from the England squad 

Eberechi Eze struggled against Andorra, so he could lose his place in the starting XI, but the Arsenal playmaker will be with the squad. 

Lewis-Skelly, on the other hand, has not travelled, being omitted from the squad, which had to be cut by one player, being made up of 24 players instead of 23.

Though Lewis-Skelly didn’t win many duels against Andorra, it’s not the sole reason why he has been dropped by Tuchel. 

Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett provided an update on the squad decision, revealing that the Arsenal academy graduate was dropped for ‘tactical and physical’ reasons.

“My understanding is that it was both a tactical and physical decision to leave Myles Lewis-Skelly out,” Dorsett explained.

The reporter went on to explain that the physical aspect was perhaps what led to Tuchel leaving Lewis-Skelly at home.

“Tactical is an interesting one, but physically, he played 90 minutes against Andorra on Saturday, that’s the first time he’s completed a first match this season, so clearly, the England medics have decided it’s a bit too much of an ask to make him go again three days later.”

Lewis-Skelly has played only 44 minutes so far in the 2025/26 season for Arsenal, which is quite the contrast to the minutes he racked up last term. 

Lewis-Skelly could return to Arsenal’s starting XI vs Nottingham Forest

After recording 15 starts in his debut Premier League campaign for Arsenal’s first team, Arteta has opted against starting Lewis-Skelly so far this season.

A lot of that is to do with the fact that Riccardo Calafiori has started the season brilliantly, giving Arteta a stronger option at left-back. 

Things could change on matchday four, however, as William Saliba’s injury could see Calafiori shift into centre-back, where Lewis-Skelly could re-enter the fold on the left.

Arteta will undoubtedly keep his cards close to his chest, but the 18-year-old’s return is certainly one option; however, a lot rides on whether Cristhian Mosquera is trusted with a start in central defence.