Former Arsenal star sends message to Gunners ace over World Cup place
Could he be at risk of missing out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel's squad?
Former Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal has had his say on Myles Lewis-Skelly's World Cup hopes for England next summer as he struggles to start as many games for the Gunners this season.
Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a memorable season last term, making his senior Arsenal debut and very quickly becoming first choice for Mikel Arteta's side before also working his way into the England squad.
The teenage full-back then scored on his Three Lions debut and it looked like he could do no wrong, though his situation has now changed a little.
Riccardo Calafiori struggled to stay fit for much of last season and that undoubtedly helped Lewis-Skelly a great deal, but the Italian defender is now enjoying a run in the team and seems to have worked his way ahead of Lewis-Skelly in Arteta's pecking order.
There's a long way to go before the World Cup, though, and Monreal says the 19-year-old shouldn't focus too much on the tournament in the US.
One imagines all the football betting sites will soon be focusing on the favourites and the outsiders on making Thomas Tuchel's squad, but Lewis-Skelly himself just needs to stay calm and do his best for Arsenal, as he's still young enough that he'll surely have plenty of other opportunities at major tournaments after this one anyway.
Former Arsenal star on Myles Lewis-Skelly’s World Cup hopes
Discussing Lewis-Skelly's situation at the moment, Monreal said: “It’s a difficult situation when it comes to Myles Lewis-Skelly, because we know so much about his quality and when he is playing, he’s completely able and doesn’t look out of place at all.
“But he’s in a tough position because ahead of him is Ricardo Calafiori, who has just been incredible up to this point this season. I think he’s playing ahead of Lewis-Skelly because he’s a bit stronger defensively; both players have their strengths, but for how Arsenal are playing right now, I can understand why Calafiori is preferred over Lewis-Skelly.”
He added: “I would say there will be plenty of times this season where Lewis-Skelly will be preferred, though, because he offers something different.
“If I was him, I wouldn’t be worrying about my place in the England squad ahead of next year’s World Cup; he’s in the right place, he’s playing enough football and all I’d ask him to do is just keep this up right now, because he’s going to get plenty of chances in the first-team for Arsenal this year… I wouldn’t be worried about his place in the England squad.”