Thomas Tuchel Explains Myles Lewis-Skelly England Omission After Arsenal Struggles

Thomas Tuchel reveals that Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly missed England selection after being outperformed by Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has explained why Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was left out of the latest national squad, revealing that the defender was “outperformed” by Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly. Tuchel emphasized that his selection decisions are driven purely by competition and current performance levels.

Tuchel announced his England squad on Friday ahead of the upcoming November fixtures against Serbia and Albania. The list drew attention for the absence of Lewis-Skelly, who impressed during his debut earlier this year and even scored against Albania in March. His omission surprised many, given his promising start with the senior team.

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Why Lewis-Skelly Was Dropped

Tuchel was direct when asked about the decision. He explained that Lewis-Skelly’s exclusion came down to three key factors:

First, performance. Tuchel admitted that Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly has been in superior form this season, earning his place through consistency and strong showings at club level.

Second, lack of minutes. Lewis-Skelly has yet to start a Premier League match for Arsenal this season, as Mikel Arteta has preferred Riccardo Calafiori in the left-back role.

Finally, competition. Tuchel stressed that England’s squad is filled with top talent, and players must continually prove themselves to stay in contention.

“Myles [Lewis-Skelly] was a good teammate and did well in our last camp,” Tuchel said. “But this is about competition and performance. The door is always open for those who perform.”

Context Behind the Decision

Lewis-Skelly’s omission underlines Tuchel’s merit-based approach to selection. Despite his reputation as one of Arsenal’s brightest academy graduates, the 18-year-old’s lack of regular first-team action has cost him his spot.

Meanwhile, O’Reilly’s consistent performances for Manchester City have made him a reliable option for England’s defensive setup. Tuchel’s decision sends a strong message — previous appearances and potential are not enough without consistent club form.

For Arsenal, the decision highlights the challenge of integrating young players into a competitive first-team environment. If Lewis-Skelly is to regain his England place, Arteta may need to offer him more minutes in domestic competitions.

For England, Tuchel’s stance reinforces his commitment to a performance-driven system. Only players who deliver consistently at the top level will be selected, regardless of reputation or age.

Despite missing out this time, Lewis-Skelly’s international ambitions remain alive. Tuchel made it clear that future opportunities depend on club performances, saying the “door is always open” for those who earn their place.

Thomas Tuchel’s decision to omit Myles Lewis-Skelly from England’s latest squad underscores the high standards of international football. While the Arsenal teenager remains a promising talent, his lack of playing time and Nico O’Reilly’s form meant he missed out. Tuchel’s message is unmistakable — only consistent performance at club level leads to national recognition.

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