Myles Lewis-Skelly: Arsenal full-back stars on England debut with goal against Albania

In a mere six months, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly has catapulted from Arsenal's U21 squad to starting and scoring for the England national team, marking an extraordinary ascent. Just last October, he was representing Arsenal U21 against Milton Keynes in the English Football League Trophy, and now he is celebrated as a goal-scoring hero for his country, demonstrating his remarkable progress.

The Gunners full-back scored Thomas Tuchel's first goal as England manager in the match against Albania at Wembley, contributing to a 2-0 victory and extending his impressive momentum. At 18 years and 176 days old, Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his senior England debut, finding the net in the 20th minute after a precise through ball from Jude Bellingham, solidifying his place in history.

Following the game, Lewis-Skelly admitted in an interview that he was "speechless" and trying to process everything, showcasing his humility amidst the excitement. His Arsenal teammate, Declan Rice, voiced his admiration on his behalf. Speaking to ITV, Rice said: "He is fearless, does everything right off the pitch, and he is only 18. I knew he would be good tonight because he is so confident. He has kept himself grounded, and this is just the start for him," highlighting the young player's potential.

New England manager Tuchel, when questioned about Lewis-Skelly's performance, described him as an "amazing player" and an "amazing personality," praising his character. Tuchel stated: "He was outstanding in the camp, full of confidence and humour, and a mature character. What you see on the pitch is what he is like off it. He fitted into the team straight away, which was impressive. He does it with a natural confidence, and that is how he plays. It was a brilliant game, full of courage and strength, and more importantly, he was able to win us the game with his runs from the back," underscoring his impact.

Former England defender Matt Upson, watching the game on BBC Radio 5 Live, said that the young man, named man of the match, had a "brilliant night," acknowledging his exceptional performance. Upson said: "I thought he was outstanding. The way he was able to handle and cope with the occasion, considering his limited experience of senior football, speaks volumes about what a good player he is and how far he can go," emphasizing his potential for future success.

It has been a remarkable season for Lewis-Skelly, who has featured in more games than he anticipated after impressing during Arsenal's pre-season tour of America, showing his dedication. Since making his debut against Manchester City in September, Lewis-Skelly has made 26 appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, with fellow academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri also featuring regularly, demonstrating Arsenal's commitment to youth development.

Former Arsenal, Chelsea, and England left-back Ashley Cole told BBC Sport earlier this week: "[Lewis-Skelly] has burst onto the scene in the last year and a half. He just needs to keep performing for Arsenal and the England senior team. But I would say you have to be careful with these young players – they are special, they are precious, and sometimes you have to take your time," offering a cautionary note regarding managing young talent.

Despite his rapid rise, it has not all been plain sailing for the young full-back. He has been sent off twice – once in January's win against Wolves and again in February's home defeat to West Ham – although the first red card was later overturned on appeal, highlighting the challenges faced by young players. Former Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker, now the club's academy manager, has known Lewis-Skelly since he joined the Gunners' U12s, when he was just nine years old.

The Islington-born youngster's rise is made all the more impressive by the fact that left-back is not even his strongest position. He initially came through the academy as a midfielder but has grown in strength in the "inverted" full-back role, showcasing his adaptability. Mertesacker said earlier this year: "I don't think there was a particular moment where you saw he had a really good chance of making the first team. I've known Myles since he was an U12 and went to youth tournaments together and experienced all the ups and downs. Sometimes you win and everyone is buzzing – sometimes you lose and you start crying. It's just about understanding where everyone is on their journey. For Myles, whatever challenge we put in front of him, he seems very comfortable and ready. That is probably the main trait I would give him. If you can be as calm as possible in those challenging moments, then you have a good chance of getting opportunities," emphasizing his mental fortitude.

Lewis-Skelly's mother, Marcia Lewis, knows better than anyone the pitfalls that exist in a young player's early career, highlighting the importance of support. She runs a platform called NO1Fan.Club, which provides a support network for parents navigating youth football and showcases other avenues in the industry for those who do not make it, showcasing her commitment to helping young athletes. Speaking to BBC Sport last September about her son, Lewis said: "He is not an Arsenal first-team player, he is an academy player, he hasn't 'made it' yet. He backs himself, we back him, but reality is reality… he is competing against multi-million-pound players from all over the world," emphasizing the competitive nature of the industry.

Mertesacker stated that "unconditional" support and a "good foundation from the family" have been crucial to Lewis-Skelly's rise, highlighting the importance of a strong support system. "It's not a curve that always goes up for anyone. When it comes to the first team and the challenges and opportunities there, it is not easy," acknowledging the difficulties of transitioning to professional football.