Key Points
- Punditry Praise: Former England internationals Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker expressed high praise for Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly on The Rest Is Football podcast.
- Midfield Tactical Switch: The 20-year-old footballer successfully returned to his preferred central midfield role for both Arsenal and Thomas Tuchel’s England side, having previously featured at left-back.
- Nations League Appearance: Lewis-Skelly started in England’s UEFA Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley Stadium alongside Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham.
- Replacing Senior Absence: Lineker highlighted Lewis-Skelly’s ability to take on defensive responsibilities in midfield during the absence of Arsenal teammate Declan Rice.
- Match Result: Despite England suffering a 3-2 defeat to Spain, individual performances from the young midfielders drew positive evaluations from match analysts.
Arsenal (North London News) September 28, 2026 – Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly has received significant acclaim from football pundits Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker following his recent transition into central midfield for club and country. The 20-year-old was selected to start for Thomas Tuchel’s England national team in their UEFA Nations League fixture against Spain at Wembley Stadium, operating in a central midfield position after previously spending time in defence.
What Did Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker Say About Myles Lewis-Skelly?
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, former Premier League striker Alan Shearer highlighted the speed of the player’s development in recent weeks. As reported by Lewis Oldham of Football365, Shearer stated:
“I know he played in midfield last season but his rise this season to go into Arsenal and into England’s midfield has been remarkable.”
Gary Lineker concurred with Shearer’s assessment during the same broadcast. As reported by Lewis Oldham of Football365, Lineker noted the tactical shift involving young players in the squad, stating:
“It has [been remarkable]. It’s funny because you’ve got Nico O’Reilly who is really a midfield player turned left-back and you’ve got Lewis-Skelly who is a full-back and seems to have turned into a midfield player.”
Lineker added:
“Obviously when they grow up nowadays they kind of play everywhere, all these positions, so it’s really good for them. But they’re two exceptional footballers. I think he’s done really well in that midfield role filling the boots of Declan Rice. Big responsibility against Spain, especially when you’ve got one of the midfielders, Jude Bellingham, who is primarily in forward positions. I thought both Lewis-Skelly and Elliot Anderson in there were exceptional.”
How Did England Perform in the Nations League Match Against Spain?
The fixture at Wembley Stadium ended in a 3-2 victory for Spain. During the match, manager Thomas Tuchel fielded a central midfield unit comprising Myles Lewis-Skelly, Elliot Anderson, and Jude Bellingham.
Lineker discussed the progression of the match performance on the podcast. As reported by Lewis Oldham of Football365, Lineker stated:
“After ten minutes I thought, ‘Oh, crikey, this could be embarrassing!’, and then we kicked into gear. I thought the midfield did really well, played some really good football ourselves at times and penned Spain in on occasions. We created chances and lots of shots. I thought it was a much more encouraging performance.”
Background of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s Tactical Evolution
Myles Lewis-Skelly progressed through the youth academy at Arsenal, primarily operating as a central midfielder throughout his development. Upon entering senior football, tactical requirements saw him deployed at full-back for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Following the start of the 2026–27 season, Lewis-Skelly has been reintegrated into central midfield roles for both Arsenal and the England national team. His senior international involvement under Thomas Tuchel comes amid squad rotation and injuries to established options, including Arsenal teammate Declan Rice.
Prediction: How This Development May Affect National Team and Club Selection
The successful deployment of multi-positional young players such as Myles Lewis-Skelly provides both Arsenal and England coaching staff with increased selection flexibility. For national team supporters and club managers, Lewis-Skelly’s ability to perform as a central midfielder against top-tier opposition reduces reliance on individual senior squad members in central areas.
If Lewis-Skelly maintains his level of performance, he is positioned to compete for regular playing time in upcoming domestic fixtures and future international matches, including England’s Nations League fixture against the Czech Republic. This ongoing development adds depth to the squad structure while increasing competition for places among senior central midfielders returning from injury or suspension.
