England star told to seek transfer this summer as he is ‘too good’ not to play regularly

Myles Lewis-Skelly may have to consider leaving Arsenal in the summer if he wants to get back in the England squad.

That is the view of talkSPORT hosts Jason Cundy and Darren Bent, who both agreed that the 19-year-old risks his international future if he continues to miss out on game time with the Gunners.

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Lewis-Skelly enjoyed breakthrough season in 2024/25, making 26 starts and 39 appearances in total for Mikel Arteta‘s side.

His impressive displays earned him a first senior England call-up in March 2025, and he marked his debut with an historic goal in a 2-0 win over Albania.

Having been named in four of Thomas Tuchel‘s first five Three Lions squads, the 19-year-old looked set to be starting left-back at this summer’s World Cup.

But Lewis-Skelly has endured a downturn in fortunes this term, seeing his game time limited after falling out of favour at Arsenal.

Both Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are ahead of the Hale End graduate in the pecking order, who has made just 12 starts this term – only one of which has been in the Premier League.

‘What’s happened to him?’

Lewis-Skelly’s lack of playing time at club level has directly affected his England career, with his last call-up coming in October.

The defender now looks unlikely to be named in Tuchel’s next squad later for the upcoming March internationals, and the World Cup.

There is huge competition at left-back, and currently Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Manchester City starlet Nico O’Reilly and the veteran Luke Shaw all look to be ahead of Lewis-Skelly.

Discussing England’s options on talkSPORT Drive, former Three Lions striker Bent said: “I think Lewis Hall and Nico O’Reilly certainly at the minute have got that position. 

“Djed Spence spent a bit of time there because he’s versatile, but his form – as well as Tottenham’s – has gone completely. 

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“Myles Lewis Skelly last year [would have been in the discussion].”

The mention of Lewis-Skelly caught the attention of co-host Cundy, who questioned his halt in progress this season.

He quizzed: “Great question, great point – what’s happened to him? He’s now behind Calafiori and Hincapie.”

Discussing Lewis-Skelly’s recent struggles, Bent pointed to Calafiori’s form , as well as the summer arrival of Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with a £45million obligation to buy.

The Drive presenter said: “He ended last season really well – played for England, scored on his debut for England, was brilliant.

“He signed a new contract [in the summer] and I’m thinking: ‘Coming back [this season], this is going to be his time’. 

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“[Instead] Calafiori comes back and was absolutely incredible at the beginning of this season, and Lewis Skelly couldn’t get in. 

“And then when he did get in, the performances in the league – he’s been good in the Champions League – but his performances in the league weren’t great. 

“And then Hincapie came in and he’s been brilliant. Now you’ve got Hincapie playing first, then Calafiori. So now he’s third [Lewis-Skelly].”

‘He might have to consider leaving’

With Lewis-Skelly last playing for Arsenal in a FA Cup win over Wigan in February, both Cundy and Bent admitted that his future may well lie away from the Emirates Stadium.

Cundy began: “I think there will come a conversation, and not too distant by the way.

“I think in summer, he might have to consider leaving potentially.”

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Bent agreed, saying: “Hincapie is obviously a loan. So if Arsenal turn that permanently,  which it looks like, then he might have to [leave]. 

“Listen, I’d be sad to see him go, because of the way he exploded onto the scene.”

Despite this, the ex-Spurs man admitted: “But I think a conversation will [happen] if they sign Hincapie full time.

“Lewis Skelly – as a young player, you need to play.”

Cundy was quick to endorse this sentiment, saying of Lewis-Skelly: “He’s too good [not to play regularly].”