Arteta Reveals Why Arsenal's Rising Stars Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri Are Getting Their Shot

Mikel Arteta acknowledged "sometimes it's form, sometimes it's the fact we want to do certain things" when questioned about the decreased playing time for Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri this campaign.

Lewis-Skelly's swift rise was among the biggest storylines of the previous season, with the 19-year-old cementing his position as the team's primary left-back choice while also earning his first England call-up.

Nwaneri has been highly regarded for several years, with significant expectations placed on him following impressive displays in the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup competitions.

However, Lewis-Skelly has mostly watched from the sidelines during this Premier League campaign, dropping below Riccardo Calafiori in the hierarchy, while Nwaneri remains in competition for playing time with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, particularly after the arrivals of Eberechi Eze, who operates as a No. 10 or wide player, and Noni Madueke to strengthen Arsenal's offensive options.

When questioned before Saturday's match against West Ham United about whether Arsenal's squad depth explained why others were being selected, Arteta commented on the duo: "I don't know, but I don't work with expectations. I work with what the boys can provide in the context that the team is playing in that moment. And Ethan has played two games in the Premier League very early because of an injury of Martin as well. He played in other competitions, and he will play more.

"With Myles, it's the same. Sometimes it's form, sometimes it's the fact that we want to do certain things in relation to the opposition. And that's it. What I want is that they are in the state that they have to be used. And when they are playing, whether it is to start games or for a few minutes, they are fully ready. And both of them, they've been really good at that."

Tuchel Warns Lewis-Skelly Over England Place

The inquiry directed at Arteta came after England boss Thomas Tuchel cautioned during Thursday's squad announcement that Lewis-Skelly cannot maintain his international spot "just for being a good citizen", emphasizing that consistent club appearances at Arsenal would be necessary for merit-based selection.

"To just be a good citizen in camp will not be enough over the course of a year," Tuchel explained. "He was a very good player in camp, a very good team-mate in camp [last month]. But being a good team-mate in camp may not be good enough to stay the whole year with us. You have to perform at club level on a regular basis. In the last camp he got the credit, that I was convinced we have to take care of him and nominate him because we accelerated his career.

"It was our responsibility after we called him last season. So we stick to this. He was now part of a very successful camp so he gets the reward for that. But if you remember he was not part of the 20-man squad in the match in Serbia.

"Still, his behaviour was outstanding, even if he was not part of the squad. His training, his attitude, his attitude to push and support the guys on the pitch was outstanding and of the highest level. He is one of the players who benefits from this decision, from sticking with the same squad, but the performances [for Arsenal] will be a key factor in the next month. He benefits also from the proximity of the camps and that [the last one] was three weeks ago."

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri's 2025–26 Statistics (All Competitions)