Lee Carsley sends ‘ready to go’ message about Arsenal star amid Man United links

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England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley has backed Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly to be “ready to go” for the Gunners following his international performances, amid ongoing speculation linking the teenager with Manchester United.

The 19-year-old has found opportunities limited at Emirates Stadium this season despite his breakthrough campaign last term. Lewis-Skelly made 42 appearances for Arsenal during their second-place Premier League finish and Champions League semi-final run, but has managed just 12 starts from 27 appearances this season under Mikel Arteta.

His reduced role has sparked speculation about a potential departure, with Manchester United reportedly showing interest in the versatile defender who signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal in June last year.

Carsley backs Lewis-Skelly’s development

Speaking to BBC Sport during the current international break, Carsley explained how regular minutes with the Young Lions could benefit Lewis-Skelly’s Arsenal prospects.

“I think you can train all you want, but there is nothing like match minutes where you are competing against someone and the intensity of it,” Carsley said. “The fact now that he’s potentially going back having played a lot of minutes for England puts him a strong position where, if he is called upon or gets a chance, he is ready to go. He doesn’t [now] need one or two games, which you don’t get at that level, to bed in.”

Lewis-Skelly made his Under-21s debut in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Andorra, having previously earned six senior caps for England. The defender has featured prominently in Arsenal’s FA Cup run this season, playing the full 90 minutes against Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic, though he was omitted from the Mansfield Town victory.

Positive response to setback

Carsley praised the teenager’s attitude during the international camp, highlighting his enthusiasm despite his current situation at club level.

“He’s shown such a great attitude and it’s really benefited him this week playing minutes and training at a good level,” the England boss added. “We look at attitude, we look at the desire to play and he was really enthusiastic about coming to the 21s. He sees that potentially as a route into getting minutes and then potentially going to play for Arsenal and then England.”

The former Arsenal midfielder acknowledged the natural fluctuations in a young player’s career, noting that Lewis-Skelly’s rapid rise was always likely to include challenging periods.

Arsenal face Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final this weekend, where Lewis-Skelly will hope to add to his cup appearances and demonstrate his readiness for increased first-team involvement.