Good morning everyone.
Let’s kick off this weekend with a remarkable story from the world of football. Myles Lewis-Skelly made his mark with an unforgettable debut for England under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel. Starting off strong, he found the back of the net just 20 minutes into the game. It was Jude Bellingham who spotted his move, delivering a pass with pinpoint accuracy, allowing Lewis-Skelly to finish from close range and put England in the lead. If you haven’t seen it yet, do check it out—it’s a record-breaking moment.
Just to highlight, at just 18 years and 176 days, Myles became the youngest player to score for England in his senior debut, smashing Marcus Rashford’s previous record set when he was 18 years and 209 days old.
For Myles, this moment could not have come at a better time, especially with all the chatter surrounding him lately. Thankfully, he seems to have avoided the negativity that often brews on social media. Instead, his performance is a testament to his skills and dedication. Earning his spot with consistent play for Arsenal, he silenced doubters in the best way possible: right on the field.
Following the match, he shared his excitement with ITV, saying, “I’m lost for words. I am grateful for the manager’s trust. The fans made me feel right at home. This last six months have been a whirlwind. I’m living in the moment, and this day is truly unforgettable.”
Tuchel had high praise for the young star as well: “Amazing player. Amazing personality. He has a magnetic presence—it’s hard not to admire him. This is truly deserved.”
It’s hard not to root for Lewis-Skelly, regardless of where your support lies. His future is bright, with moments like these paving the way for a flourishing career. Besides him, Declan Rice offered an assist for England’s second goal. Jakub Kiwior and Thomas Partey also celebrated wins, representing Poland and Ghana, respectively, while Ethan Nwaneri made an appearance in England U21s’ 5-3 loss to France.
Today, Martin Odegaard suits up for Norway for their clash with Moldova, marking the end of Arsenal’s international involvement for now. Fingers crossed he stays injury-free and gains some rhythm to carry back to North London.
Switching gears, let’s talk about a hiccup in Arsenal’s camp. Riccardo Calafiori returned for assessment after picking up an injury on Thursday. Early reports suggest a 2-3 week recovery, but nothing’s set in stone yet. It’s always tough seeing a player sidelined, and the lack of empathy from some fans was surprising. Injuries are part of the game, and it’s disheartening to see a player, especially one of our younger prospects, criticized so harshly. Let’s not forget he’s one of our own.
Mikel Merino also touched on international duty this week: “Fans may grumble about internationals, but they’d fill the time with club matches. It offers a change, a fresh environment. The schedule is grueling, but for me, these moments are refreshing.”
While internationals can be frustrating, players often see them as a break from the routine. They always have—and Merino’s point about club matches potentially filling gaps is valid (just look at the upcoming Club World Cup). Like it or not, international matches are here to stay, and the packed schedule isn’t likely to ease up anytime soon. As managers like Mikel Arteta have mentioned, the answer might lie in expanding squad sizes. Who knows when—or if—that will materialize.
Alright folks, that’s my wrap-up for now. Enjoy your Saturday, and I’ll have more for you tomorrow!
