Exactly. Sometimes either for cases of need, when the player's talent is such that you just want to find a way to use them or a combination of both, they play a different role to their ultimate role. It's very similar to how Wenger used to blood central players out wide where any mistakes they made would be less costly and they had more time on the ball while still being able to learn the pace of the PL game.
I can definitely get on board with that along with the idea that he's filling in a need but I don't know if it necessarily applies to Lewis-Skelly. I mean on top of what I said, there was talk since last season that Arteta wanted to make him a LB. Now it's actually a reality, albeit early days and not just coincidence. His appearances for the U21's as a LB would also suggest he's really being groomed to be one.
There is likely a short-term and long-term plan for his development. Short-term being the inverted LB role where can play like a #6 without as much responsibility and break into the team, long-term being the #6 role.
i think Partey started at fullback for Athletico to develop his game too?
No Partey played DM with A.Madrid but he had some games as RB when we played A.Madrid in Europa 2018 he started as RB had excellent performance but that when he was young now he is uncle. Skelly look excellent as LB but this position you'll need to be very good defensively as well
Agree. MLS is the reason Edu only need to buy one midfielder next season to replace Partey/Jorginho. He fits that Partey role perfectly.
From watching him in the academy his major stand out strength is ball carrying through the middle riding challenges for fun. Now I don't know if that will translate to the first team, but he is amazing on the ball, he is also really good at protecting the ball like Saka and will usually only lose it when he is fouled.
I share the same concerns but he's too classy a footballer not to make it in some position. Here's hoping.
Good cameo, came on before Zinchenko and Kiwior tonight. Seems to have more trust from Arteta - maybe because he can play a defensive position?
I think this is helping him. We meme about Mikel loving defenders and duels but I genuinely think him being trusted at left back amidst a host of injuries in the full-back positions is definitely in his favour. He doesn't look out of place and is playing a tidy, smart game. Seems to like the responsibility.Good job by the kid today.
And yes he can play a defensive position
It could be, but I am concerned about that role. He's a good 1v1 defender but slightly different from AMN in that AMN is absolutely rapid when he wants to be. Lewis-Skelly has good acceleration and body positioning but is marginally slower. AMN also being right-footed helped when Salah comes inside, he's defending on his strong foot.
MLS was fuming before he came on because the 4th official forced him to take off his earring if you noticed
