Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been heavily connected with each other while rising through the ranks at Arsenal and they are both also making strides on the international stage.
The hugely talented young midfielders have both already been called up by England at U18 level, while they are currently part of the Three Lions’ squad at the U17 World Cup in Indonesia.
England’s World Cup campaign got off to an excellent start with an emphatic 10-0 victory over New Caledonia and Arsenal’s two representatives both played a part in proceedings.
Nwaneri came off the bench to score a fine goal and provide an assist, while Lewis-Skelly also set up a goal and won a penalty after starting the game.
Both players missed several games through injury recently but they are certainly getting back to their best and will be looking to start in England’s remaining group stage fixtures against Iran and Brazil.
The only downside to Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly being away is that they have missed some significant games for Arsenal at youth level, including the draw with Sevilla in the UEFA Youth League that saw the Gunners’ U19 side eliminated from that competition.
However, the pair will still have plenty to look forward to when they return to Arsenal, including possible participation in the FA Youth Cup, featuring for the U21s and opportunities to train with the first-team.
It is hoped that they will return to Arsenal as U17 World Cup winners, following in the footsteps of Emile Smith Rowe, who was part of the England side that won the trophy in 2017.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird
New Caledonia?? You Noumea, I’m not one to criticise but a nation of 18,000 should be more pulverised.
Zero wish to be condescending (I didn’t even know where the place was until just now) but 271,000 according to google, so roughly similar to Iceland
…and Iceland famously knocked England out of Euro 2016.
Bloody h*ll
Oh yeah it is 18,000 km2 in area. Sadly, I know this (I have taken geeking on a Geography quiz app waaaay to far)