Arsenal’s Ayden Heaven made his England youth debut and Myles Lewis-Skelly impressed as the u18s won against Northern Ireland this week.

Both just slightly too old to join Ethan Nwaneri at the u17 European Championships this summer, Arsenal’s Ayden Heaven and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both with the England u18s instead.

For Lewis-Skelly, this is just his latest call-up, having already played for the England u18s last September. But Wednesday was a first opportunity for the youngster to pull on the captain’s armband against Northern Ireland.

As for Heaven, this is his first England call-up at any level, and Wednesday’s game gave him his first start.

Lewis-Skelly played 55 minutes and Heaven played the full 90 in the 4-2 friendly win, but Lewis-Skelly was particularly pivotal in that opening hour.

After Kadan Young had given England an early lead with a goal on the rebound, Lewis-Skelly helped the team to double their advantage with an impressive run and assist for Romelle Donovan.

Ethan Wheatley made it 3-0, and he should have made it four after another Lewis-Skelly run won England a penalty. But it was saved, and Northern Ireland responded in the second half by pulling two goals back.

Fortunately, England’s Ajay Matthews scored a deflected effort in the 82nd minute to confirm the result at 4-2.

The England u18s now have another game against Morocco on Sunday, May 26th at 13:00 BST to round out their international break.