Myles Lewis-Skelly: Spooky Scary Skelly

[Bloodbather]

He's a bit of a liability defensively and i don't rate him all that much, but it's weird how Arteta went SO cold on Zinchenko.

He was like 4th choice LB last season (and that's with Tomiyasu injured), even Tierney, the guy he initially replaced was brought back in.

I guess Mik just see that the negatives with playing Zinchenko there now outweigh the positives.

I suspect that it's a part of Arteta's assessment of our 22-23 season, which I believe has characterized his approach since.

We bottled the title that season due to getting done on counters. So Arteta has really focused on addressing that, to the point of hyperfixating on it. We brought in Rice, we started adding a lot of CB depth as Saliba's injury had screwed us, we started being a lot more cautious on the ball to prevent turnovers, and Zinchenko increasingly became less favored because he was getting targeted.

Another aspect of Arteta's 22-23 assessment is that he thought Xhaka's box runs were huge that season and we'd be even better if we had someone who could replicate it and score more goals, so he targeted Havertz and then Merino for that profile. But we had also signed Rice, which had thrown the balance off, so it didn't work.

 

[viktor]

hold on a second…we keep talking about how we need an AM, LW etc (which we do) but it seems like Zinchenko was a major part of us playing good football…

hahaha exactly, we also need quality lb to help our build up on lhs, so can help our lhs turn on again

 

[viktor]

I suspect that it's a part of Arteta's assessment of our 22-23 season, which I believe has characterized his approach since.

We bottled the title that season due to getting done on counters. So Arteta has really focused on addressing that, to the point of hyperfixating on it. We brought in Rice, we started adding a lot of CB depth as Saliba's injury had screwed us, we started being a lot more cautious on the ball to prevent turnovers, and Zinchenko increasingly became less favored because he was getting targeted.

Another aspect of Arteta's 22-23 assessment is that he thought Xhaka's box runs were huge that season and we'd be even better if we had someone who could replicate it and score more goals, so he targeted Havertz and then Merino for that profile. But we had also signed Rice, which had thrown the balance off, so it didn't work.

yeah you are right arteta bought rice as 6 to reduce counter attack because we get conceded a lot goal in 22/23 by counter attack from opponent, basically we scored a lot goal at the same time get conceded a lot goal in 22/23 season

but one thing arteta should notice that we lose league 22/23 that because we dont have clinical striker who can finished chance, i saw full highlight in 22/23 season my godness jesus & nketiah missed a lot chance, so even when we get conceded a lot goal but we still can win league in 22/23 if our striker can finished their chance,

arteta completely too reactive change his style after get concede a lot goals in 22/23 season, this guy did not holistic when see problem

which mean in every season arteta should keep our style like 22/23 season (free flowing attack with attack a lot through middle) no need change style become pragmatic and to do that :
1. keep zinny as inverted lb (should not worry he cannot defend because saliba & big gabi will improve every season, so both can protect defense)
2. buy player for xhaka replacement at lcm but that player have attributes like xhaka (ability to break lines, play progressive passes, and contribute significantly to build-up play, passing range)
3. buy striker similar style like jesus or even striker like poacher will be fine but that striker have great finishing

 

[viktor]

because mls passing range not even close like zinny then the only way mls can help our lhs have free flowing attack with carry ball like this video which is need do more in every game, arteta should allow mls to do that (play for his strength)

 

[HaffBR]

Overrated a lot. He has his upsides like ball carrying/ball protection and dribbling that makes he looks good while on the ball, but his footballing IQ, defensive positioning, passing range are all very suspect. But he isn't a LB, so we need to understand that, should be the third one in the rotation there, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Kiwior and even Timber (if White is fit) should be above him in the LB position;

 

[Geofranco]

Overrated a lot. He has his upsides like ball carrying/ball protection and dribbling that makes he looks good while on the ball, but his footballing IQ, defensive positioning, passing range are all very suspect. But he isn't a LB, so we need to understand that, should be the third one in the rotation there, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Kiwior and even Timber (if White is fit) should be above him in the LB position;

And yet for some reason he had some of the best defensive metrics in the league last season even with those flaws at 18. Now even Kiwior should be ahead of him lol. He should be used in midfield, but he can still do a job in the LB position in this system. He has amazing football IQ actually, go check out his defensive positioning to prevent that goal against Leicester away. Go watch his performance against Man City at home again to come back to your senses. Only thing I agree with is his passing range, Zinchenko is definitely superior in terms of range and vision, but he is also way more experienced.

 

[Red London]

Overrated a lot. He has his upsides like ball carrying/ball protection and dribbling that makes he looks good while on the ball, but his footballing IQ, defensive positioning, passing range are all very suspect. But he isn't a LB, so we need to understand that, should be the third one in the rotation there, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Kiwior and even Timber (if White is fit) should be above him in the LB position;

Was really disappointed there’s no dislike button atm, a red card had to suffice.

 

[Malky]

Yes look so casual this pre season too many unforced errors. Well we need to remind ourselves he only 18 also Calafiori will have to be available

 

[Rasmi]

People won’t like this. But this guy don’t have fusion defence. He came in as a surprise last season and did well for us. But as the season went on you could see he’s not a defender

He reminds me so much of Rico Lewis for City who was the captain and star midfielder in their youth team. Came in and did initially really well. But as time went on it became more and more clear he’s just not a defender. Please move him to midfield before he gets ruined

 

[Geofranco]

People won’t like this. But this guy don’t have fusion defence. He came in as a surprise last season and did well for us. But as the season went on you could see he’s not a defender

He reminds me so much of Rico Lewis for City who was the captain and star midfielder in their youth team. Came in and did initially really well. But as time went on it became more and more clear he’s just not a defender. Please move him to midfield before he gets ruined

I mean that's literally what everyone who watched him in the academy have been saying lol. He'll even do well in that left 8 role. At least better than Merino and even Rice.

 

[Gooner Zig]

That yellow he got was a disgracia.

Pure narrative booking

 

[Melquiades]

He’s good defensively for an 18 year old but the simple facts are that there is no such thing as an 18 year old who is good defensively relative to the standards of a top-4 Premier League team.

 

[bastun]

I love him , but he needs to wake up. After the incredible 2nd half of the season last year, he seems in some sort of a decline. His cameo wasn't very good and imo he was at fault for the Mbuemo header

 

[Sammy1887]

MLS will have a fall off season. Teams have started to target his defensive inefficiencies.

 

[Bogart]

What a player, incredible personality, one of the most press resistant players I’ve seen. Absolute baller.

 

[MutableEarth]

Today was a good cameo for Lewis-Skelly. I do think this should be his last season as a full-back personally, the inverted role is very close to jumping the shark. However, today he did a lot of good work in terms of soaking up pressure and launching counter attacks.

 

[Riou]

What a player, incredible personality, one of the most press resistant players I’ve seen. Absolute baller.

I loved when all the players were lining up to hug Eze, he seemed so excited when in line.

He's like Jenkinson, but also really good at football too lol... proper Arsenal lad!

 

[viktor]

he already automatically play for lcm role when zubi and rice play with double pivot

 

[ArsenalInMyHeart]

he already automatically play for lcm role when zubi and rice play with double pivot

Yeah i like this idea. Arteta changed his tactics, he prefer Calafiori at LB than MLS. If Kiwior and Zinchenko leave and Arteta brings a LB/LCB hybrid like Hincapie will make it sense. Calafiori is not reliable.

 

[Bogart]

Today was a good cameo for Lewis-Skelly. I do think this should be his last season as a full-back personally, the inverted role is very close to jumping the shark. However, today he did a lot of good work in terms of soaking up pressure and launching counter attacks.

What’s his best mf position in your opinion? I think I want to see him at 6. He’s got the personality for it but I think he’s made for the type of pressure a 6 gets. The 8s or a striker tend to be under pressure as soon as the ball is played to their feet but the 6 gets a pressured just a half beat later usually which comes with its own significant challenges and I think he’d be a natural at dealing with it.