Myles Lewis-Skelly: 49 49 ...

[Taylor Gang Gunners]

I already wanna see him in midfield. What a talent this lad is. He actually stood out to me more at youth level than Nwaneri did. He looks so unfazed.

He should’ve started against Fulham. Should start against Everton should our injuries persist.

 

[Iwobeast]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1866964148808290360

 

[OnlyOne]

How good is he btw? I’ve always thought he stood out a little more than Ethan in looking a bit more ready/experienced for this level. It may be because of his position but he looks really solid.

He’s 19 next year, I really don’t think we should be signing a young expensive 6 when we have him, I think he’ll be ready to get a lot of minutes.

 

[scytheavatar]

How good is he btw? I’ve always thought he stood out a little more than Ethan in looking a bit more ready/experienced for this level. It may be because of his position but he looks really solid.

He’s 19 next year, I really don’t think we should be signing a young expensive 6 when we have him, I think he’ll be ready to get a lot of minutes.

I have seen someone in reddit say that MLS is basically Zinchenko with less technical ability and more athletic ability....... except the gap technically is arguably smaller than the athletic advantage. I tend to agree with him.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

I really hope his long term position here will be in midfield not as LB I don't think he have the ability to be good defensively and this ball carrying and passing can't be wasted as LB

 

[Iwobeast]

I really hope his long term position here will be in midfield not as LB I don't think he have the ability to be good defensively and this ball carrying and passing can't be wasted as LB

It's probably to just protect him a little bit but with his talent he'll soon get a shot in midfield

 

[MutableEarth]

Did grand.

Let him play at left back for now, anyway. Still young and given how we play he has license to drift into midfield. It's a good development opportunity for him and I like that he's taking it given our 25 1/2 left backs are all injured.

Eventually, though... that dribble, that pass... oof.

I know @MutableEarth mentioned he's more of a six, but if his pressing is good, he has to be move a bit forward and get chances at left 8.

He can come collect the ball if Rice needs help, Ødegaard also drops a bit into our own halfway line to help beat the press.

Either way, it looks like we've got a player.

I think he's better at getting on the ball and dominating the game from #6 at times - even his more dribbly moments have come from that position. That said, I think he has massive potential in both positions. I'd want to see him at #8 more of course, because his ability to drive with the ball and his passes from the middle/final 3rd are extremely clutch, but his passing from deep is also very crucial. Lewis-Skelly has a deep bag so there's still a lot we can do with him - I'd be disappointed if he only plays LB.

I still think the most ideal situation would be a Rice/Lewis-Skelly double pivot at some point (of sorts) at some point. Both players who do well in both 6/8 positions (with Rice leaning more towards 6) and both players above average in all-phases.

 

[Riou]

He reminds me of when Saka first broke through, he just looks good at everything you want in a deeper midfield player.

Hale End has done it again!

 

[Red London]

I have seen someone in reddit say that MLS is basically Zinchenko with less technical ability and more athletic ability....... except the gap technically is arguably smaller than the athletic advantage. I tend to agree with him.

Zinchenko when he wasn’t ****? Yes maybe see that similarity.

 

[Red London]

Yeh I’m starting to think we may not need to sign a highly technical CM which I was wishlisting. Wouldn’t wanna block him.

Maybe sign an attacking mid type player instead if we wanna give MLS a chance at CM (hopefully).

 

[GoonerJeeves]

Should be more opportunities in the League Cup, and the two remaining CL matches. Both him and Nwaneri have taken the chances they've been given so far.

edit: Bit of a pity that we got the customary medium-hard 3rd round FA cup tie.

 

[lomekian]

As well as giving him minutes at the top level, this inverted full back role is also allowing him to operate in a lot of #6 like areas as well, so good prep for that role as well. My one concern for him centrally is how one footed he is - not that this stops other players, but at the moment it affects his body shape when he addresses the ball, making him have to rely on skill or athleticism to beat a press when a little more two footedness would allow him to keep the ball a little closer to his central balance line, and give him more options. It may be this that dictates his final position.

His talent as a top level squad player is evident - what remains to be seen is if he can elevate above that.

 

[outlawz]

I think he's better at getting on the ball and dominating the game from #6 at times - even his more dribbly moments have come from that position. That said, I think he has massive potential in both positions. I'd want to see him at #8 more of course, because his ability to drive with the ball and his passes from the middle/final 3rd are extremely clutch, but his passing from deep is also very crucial. Lewis-Skelly has a deep bag so there's still a lot we can do with him - I'd be disappointed if he only plays LB.

I still think the most ideal situation would be a Rice/Lewis-Skelly double pivot at some point (of sorts) at some point. Both players who do well in both 6/8 positions (with Rice leaning more towards 6) and both players above average in all-phases.

Playing at LB won't stop him from moving centrally and taking up 6 and 8 positions. Right now, he's playing a support role in midfield, rather than a primary role, which places less pressure on him.

 

[db10_therza]

Zinchenko when he wasn’t ****? Yes maybe see that similarity.

Idk I don’t see it. Very different styles. Zinchenko loves recycling the ball, MLS has much more intent and purpose in possession but at the same time is less able or less bothered about the pace of the game.

 

[MutableEarth]

Playing at LB won't stop him from moving centrally and taking up 6 and 8 positions. Right now, he's playing a support role in midfield, rather than a primary role, which places less pressure on him.

It won't stop him, I agree. And I think a support role is fine - for now. But he should be playinga primary role sooner rather than later. Lewis-Skelly is a player who has the ability to dominate a midfield. I don't want that ability to go to waste playing LB for too long.

 

[El Duderino]

Zinchenko loves recycling the ball,

Plus, Zinchenko naturally drifts all over the pitch. Goes as far the spaces Ødegaard occupies at the right side of the box.

MLS doesn't seem to have that proclivity and it's not even down to being a young player breaking through, especially given how he asked/showed up for the ball yesterday

 

[Geofranco]

He reminds me of when Saka first broke through, he just looks good at everything you want in a deeper midfield player.

Hale End has done it again!

He is basically the Saka of this group, especially when it comes to mentality and football IQ. I would say that 18 year old Skelly has more raw talent than 18 year old Saka did.

 

[Geofranco]

As well as giving him minutes at the top level, this inverted full back role is also allowing him to operate in a lot of #6 like areas as well, so good prep for that role as well. My one concern for him centrally is how one footed he is - not that this stops other players, but at the moment it affects his body shape when he addresses the ball, making him have to rely on skill or athleticism to beat a press when a little more two footedness would allow him to keep the ball a little closer to his central balance line, and give him more options. It may be this that dictates his final position.

His talent as a top level squad player is evident - what remains to be seen is if he can elevate above that.

Only height and leaping ability was my concern for him, but he is sturdy and agile enough for it to not be a big issue especially when he gains more reps/experience. I believe he has the raw talent to be a game changing player in his prime if everything goes well.

 

[Mrs Bergkamp]

Technically sound on the ball, deceptively strong, quick of mind and foot and a desire to play forward. His vision is pretty good too. He seems to have the best of Partey and Jorgi combined. I'm pleased for him and with him and hope he'll be a star here.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

I don't mind him settling in a LB for a while. Bit less pressure on him there.

It's the sort of thing Wenger would have done.