‘I know England think highly of him’ – Arsenal star Declan Rice hints at next Three Lions debutante

DECLAN RICE has hinted who could be the next player to make his England debut.

The Arsenal star made the revelation after the 2-1 north London derby win over Tottenham.

Rice, 26, claimed Myles Lewis-Skelly is highly rated by the England squad after his breakthrough this season.

Lewis-Skelly can play in midfield and as a left back and has impressed since joining the Gunners.

He stepped up again against Spurs as he played 87 minutes and was a key part of the back line.

Rice praised the 18-year-old's performance when speaking to TNT Sport and claimed he could soon represent the Three Lions.

He said: “Myles was incredible.

“For 18, what he showed was ridiculous. It's scary.

“Four or five times in the second half he used his body to get away from someone. He has Moussa Dembélé-type strength.

“It's risky, but to show that personality and character at the age of 18 is incredible.

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“I know England attaches great importance to him.”

Lewis-Skelly's performances saw him selected ahead of Mikel Arteta's Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

He also became the second-youngest Arsenal player to start a North London derby in the Premier League.

At 18 years and 11 days, only 17-year-old Cesc Fabregas was younger when he took part in the competition during the 2004/05 season.

Rice admitted there is plenty of competition for Lewis-Skelly to beat for a place in Thomas Tuchel's squad.

He added: “He is a midfielder by trade, he can play as a number 6 and as a number 8. Obviously he has come into the team and played as a left back, it suits him to come in.

“To know these roles and understand what he is learning now at the age of 18 is incredible, it will only serve him well.

“There is a lot of competition for places all over the pitch for England, we all need to keep performing for the new manager.”

Arteta also praised Lewis-Skelly's performance against Ange Postecoglou's side.

He said: “Unbelievable… he was phenomenal today, I think.

“He has a real personality, he has so much confidence in himself, he has a certain attitude about him.

“You have to play against [Dejan] Kulusevski and [Brennan] Johnson is not easy here, the way he handled the situation and the opportunity was top.”

Speaking after Arsenal's victory over Tottenham, Lewis-Skelly insisted he had to “put on a show” for his watching family.

Speaking to Arsenal legend Ian Wright, he claimed he couldn't look 'soft' in front of his grandmother.

He told Optus Sports: “My mum, my grandma, my friends (were at the match).

“And I had to put on a show for my grandma to make sure I didn't look soft in front of her.

“I had to make sure I won my tackles for her and hopefully she's proud of me.

“The match was amazing and everything made my dreams come true.

“I couldn't believe it. I just had to take in every moment and every second.

“Honestly, it was amazing, and it's moments like these that we live for.”

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