Arsenal youngsters Myles Lewis-Skelly and Amario Cozier-Duberry both started for the England u17s this week, as they continue to play above their age groups.

Myles Lewis-Skelly with the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Lewis-Skelly on Instagram)
Myles Lewis-Skelly with the Arsenal u18s (Photo via Lewis-Skelly on Instagram)

The England u17s had a couple of friendly matches against Scotland this week, playing out a 3-0 win on Tuesday before a 2-2 draw in the rematch on Thursday.

The big news from an Arsenal point of view was that 15-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly made his first appearance in an England u17 squad for Tuesday’s game, and followed that up with his first start on Thursday.

The midfielder only turned 15 in September, but he’s already captained the England u16s and now stepped up to the u17s.

Joining him in the squad was Amario Cozier-Duberry, who is still just 16 himself, but he’s a regular with the Arsenal u18s and the England u17s.

Like Lewis-Skelly, Cozier-Duberry started the second game after being on the bench for the first.

Myles Lewis-Skelly (L) with the Val de Marne Tournament trophy
Myles Lewis-Skelly (L) with the Val de Marne Tournament trophy

Lewis-Skelly made his Arsenal u18 debut from the bench last April, when he was just 14.

He even scored against Reading that day, but the game was played under rather peculiar circumstances, with both teams agreeing to name younger sides than they usually would.

As a result, what was more impressive was Lewis-Skelly making his first two starts and playing 90 minutes for the Arsenal u18s against Chelsea and Everton in late 2021.

Meanwhile, Cozier-Duberry has five goals and five assists for the Arsenal academy this season, including his goal and assist for the u23s. He’s quickly made himself comfortable after his recent step up from the u16s last year.

The pair certainly look like bright prospects for the future of the Arsenal academy.