Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star from England Squad to Face Serbia After Unconvincing Win Over Andorra

Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star: A Bold and Unexpected Decision

In a move that has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike, Thomas Tuchel surprisingly axes Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly from the England squad ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade. The young left-back had featured for the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 win over Andorra, a match that exposed both strengths and flaws in Tuchel’s setup. Yet, despite his commitment on Saturday, Lewis-Skelly will not be on the pitch—or even on the bench—when England step out at the Rajko Mitic Stadium on Tuesday night.

Why Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star Myles Lewis-Skelly

According to The Standard, the decision wasn’t a disciplinary issue or a result of injury, but rather a consequence of UEFA’s regulations. Only 23 players can be registered for matchday squads, and with Tuchel having called up 24 players for this international window, one man had to miss out. This time, it was Lewis-Skelly.

Tuchel’s choice has raised eyebrows. The Arsenal youngster was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise sluggish performance against Andorra, showing energy and attacking intent down the left. Yet, when it came time to trim the squad, the German boss opted to sacrifice him, bringing former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah back into the fold after his own omission last weekend.

Myles Lewis-Skelly England 2025

The Bigger Picture: England’s Tactical Puzzle Ahead of Serbia

The decision to leave out Lewis-Skelly opens up a wider discussion about England’s defensive balance under Tuchel. With Marc Guehi returning from a minor groin issue and expected to start, Tuchel’s defensive line looks more stable on paper. But without Lewis-Skelly in the squad, England’s options at left-back appear thinner.

Tottenham’s Djed Spence is reportedly in line to make his England debut, while Newcastle’s Tino Livramento is also being considered for that role. Both are primarily right-sided players, meaning Tuchel could be forced to improvise. It’s a reminder that while England boast depth in certain areas, the full-back positions remain a puzzle in need of solving.

Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star: The Reaction from Arsenal Fans

For Arsenal supporters, the news is bittersweet. On one hand, they’re disappointed to see their talented youngster overlooked for such an important match. On the other, they’re relieved that Myles Lewis-Skelly will be spared the physical and mental strain of another international appearance.

The timing is particularly fortunate for Mikel Arteta, who now welcomes Lewis-Skelly back to London Colney earlier than expected. Arsenal face Nottingham Forest this weekend in the Premier League, and the extra day of rest could be valuable in what promises to be a demanding fixture schedule.

Did You Know? England’s Full-Back Conundrum Is Nothing New

This isn’t the first time England managers have wrestled with tricky squad decisions regarding full-backs. Under Gareth Southgate, debates often raged over which of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Ben Chilwell, or Luke Shaw should start.

Tuchel’s situation is slightly different, given the current injuries and form concerns, but the essence remains the same: England have an embarrassment of riches in some positions and thin coverage in others. Lewis-Skelly’s omission underlines how these selection dilemmas can play out in real time.

Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star: What It Means for the Youngster’s Development

For Myles Lewis-Skelly, being cut from the Serbia matchday squad is unlikely to be a career-defining setback. At just 20 years old, he remains one of the most promising young defenders in English football. Playing the full match against Andorra was itself a milestone, and being part of Tuchel’s 24-man squad demonstrates the trust the manager has in his potential.

However, setbacks like this can also be motivating. Lewis-Skelly will return to Arsenal with something to prove, and Arteta will no doubt encourage him to use this moment as fuel. If he continues to impress at club level, his place in future England squads should remain secure.

Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star: A Glimpse Into the Manager’s Mindset

Tuchel’s reputation has always been one of meticulous preparation and ruthless decision-making. His time at Chelsea and PSG was filled with bold squad calls, sometimes baffling supporters but usually guided by his tactical vision. By dropping Lewis-Skelly, Tuchel may simply be prioritizing experience and defensive flexibility for a tough away fixture in Belgrade.

Facing Serbia is a very different challenge compared to facing Andorra. While the latter sat deep and defended in numbers, Serbia will test England physically and aerially, particularly with players like Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović in their ranks. Tuchel may have felt that Quansah’s aerial presence was more useful in this context than the energy of Lewis-Skelly.

The Unconvincing Win Over Andorra Still Lingers

It’s worth noting that the omission comes in the shadow of England’s underwhelming performance against Andorra. Yes, the 2-0 win kept the Three Lions’ perfect qualifying record intact, but the match raised more questions than it answered. Declan Rice’s goal and a late strike sealed the win, but England labored to break down the Andorran defense and looked short of ideas at times.

Tuchel himself admitted after the match that improvements were needed, particularly in the final third. By reshaping the squad for Serbia, he’s sending a message: no one’s place is safe, and adjustments will be made based on the opposition.

What Next for Lewis-Skelly, Arsenal, and England?

Liverpool v Arsenal – Premier League

So where does this leave everyone involved?

• For Lewis-Skelly: He returns to Arsenal earlier than expected, giving him time to rest, reflect, and refocus.

• For Arsenal: Arteta gains a player back for training ahead of the clash with Nottingham Forest, and potentially benefits from a hungrier, more determined Lewis-Skelly.

• For England: Tuchel’s decision will be judged by results. If England beat Serbia convincingly, his bold call will be seen as justified. If they struggle, questions will only grow louder about why an in-form Arsenal youngster was left out.

Conclusion: Thomas Tuchel Surprisingly Axes Arsenal Star with a Bigger Picture in Mind

At the end of the day, the headline reads loud and clear: Thomas Tuchel surprisingly axes Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly from the England squad to face Serbia after an unconvincing win over Andorra. But beneath the shock value, the decision reflects a manager carefully navigating the thin margins of international football.

Tuchel has made a calculated call, weighing experience, tactics, and squad balance. For Lewis-Skelly, it’s a momentary setback, but one that could ultimately fuel his growth. For England, it’s another subplot in the ongoing drama of World Cup qualification.

And for Arsenal? It’s simply a reminder that international football can be unpredictable—but sometimes, that unpredictability works in their favor.