Myles Lewis-Skelly: Spooky Scary Skelly

[Batman]

I have a lot of time for the player and the young man but what I saw tonight was unacceptable.

You can struggle against Bayern like last week where you're just dealing with 2 excellent 1v1 players and they get the better of you. That's not the end of the world.

You cannot however come on at halftime of a delicately balanced game with fresh legs against 10 men, concede a stupid yellow 11 minutes into the 2nd half rendering your substitution pointless and then walk back on every single transition putting the CB who has barely kicked a ball and is also on a yellow in the position of having to defend your man as he runs past you.

There is absolutely no justification for it at all. Effort is not an option, particularly in a fixture with extra implications for our pursuit of the title and if he thinks he's done himself any favors at all today with Arteta or Tuchel then he's sorely mistaken. I hope this is a gross outlier and we never see anything resembling the lack of professionalism and desire from him again today.

 

[GunnerBP]

I'm gonna be the outlier here, but I'm gonna defend MLS's performance today.

Firstly, I don't think he played great, but I like the substitution. Also, I don't think he came on primarily because Calafiori was on a yellow. I think he came on because Arteta wanted our LB to become an extra midfielder so that we could control the middle of the pitch. Calafiori is great, but his style means that he's moving all over the pitch and creating chaos. We didn't need that chaos in the second half. We needed an extra midfielder.

MLS's yellow card was unfortunate and it meant that he couldn't snap into tackles and had to play a bit more reserved. MLS had a breakthrough season last season, but he still picked up silly yellow cards and red cards. He's only 19, so I think this is something that he'll figure out how to avoid.

I think MLS's performance looked worse than it was because he was basically going up against Reece James and James had an excellent match. James definitely won that battle today, but he's an elite player.

This is only MLS's second full season with the first team, and due to Calafiori's form he probably hasn't gotten the minutes that he needs. His confidence seems to be a little lacking, but that can happen when you aren't starting and haven't been called up for England.

I think it is great that Arteta put him on at halftime because it showed that we're still confident in him and haven't overreacted about his performance against Bayern.

We weren't at our best today and MLS wasn't the only player who could have played better, but I think it is important that he played. I expect him to start against Brentford or Villa, and I think he'll play well.

 

[Mikael_Sammy_Squillaci]

walk back on every single transition

I thought for a second that Arteta is going to sub him for this.

 

[bastun]

Another really disappointing performance. I can defend his poor form with his young age, etc.
But today I noticed something else which I don't even want to believe is true. He played like he didn't care.
On occasions he didn't even try to track back and left Hincapie alone. There was no intensity , no drive with the ball, played too safe, didn't do anything in attack which should be his strength.
At one point Rice went mental and started shouting at him.

Arteta doesn't care if you are 19 or 25. He will defend a poor game footballing wise, but not the lack of basic principles. MLS will either fix this or he will drown because this team doesn't take passengers.

 

[ThlRama]

I'm gonna be the outlier here, but I'm gonna defend MLS's performance today.

Firstly, I don't think he played great, but I like the substitution. Also, I don't think he came on primarily because Calafiori was on a yellow. I think he came on because Arteta wanted our LB to become an extra midfielder so that we could control the middle of the pitch. Calafiori is great, but his style means that he's moving all over the pitch and creating chaos. We didn't need that chaos in the second half. We needed an extra midfielder.

MLS's yellow card was unfortunate and it meant that he couldn't snap into tackles and had to play a bit more reserved. MLS had a breakthrough season last season, but he still picked up silly yellow cards and red cards. He's only 19, so I think this is something that he'll figure out how to avoid.

I think MLS's performance looked worse than it was because he was basically going up against Reece James and James had an excellent match. James definitely won that battle today, but he's an elite player.

This is only MLS's second full season with the first team, and due to Calafiori's form he probably hasn't gotten the minutes that he needs. His confidence seems to be a little lacking, but that can happen when you aren't starting and haven't been called up for England.

I think it is great that Arteta put him on at halftime because it showed that we're still confident in him and haven't overreacted about his performance against Bayern.

We weren't at our best today and MLS wasn't the only player who could have played better, but I think it is important that he played. I expect him to start against Brentford or Villa, and I think he'll play well.

Agree with almost everything. I will also add that he was better than many in our team at breaking the press, driving away from challenges, etc. to progress the ball - if not better than all of them. Most of our players looked like they couldn't hold onto the ball and carry it a little to save their lives. Good substitution and happy he played with the handbrake off, no stress and no intimidation in such a difficult and critical game. Was he good enough, no, but few were.

 

[MutableEarth]

I'm gonna be the outlier here, but I'm gonna defend MLS's performance today.

Firstly, I don't think he played great, but I like the substitution. Also, I don't think he came on primarily because Calafiori was on a yellow. I think he came on because Arteta wanted our LB to become an extra midfielder so that we could control the middle of the pitch. Calafiori is great, but his style means that he's moving all over the pitch and creating chaos. We didn't need that chaos in the second half. We needed an extra midfielder.

MLS's yellow card was unfortunate and it meant that he couldn't snap into tackles and had to play a bit more reserved. MLS had a breakthrough season last season, but he still picked up silly yellow cards and red cards. He's only 19, so I think this is something that he'll figure out how to avoid.

I think MLS's performance looked worse than it was because he was basically going up against Reece James and James had an excellent match. James definitely won that battle today, but he's an elite player.

This is only MLS's second full season with the first team, and due to Calafiori's form he probably hasn't gotten the minutes that he needs. His confidence seems to be a little lacking, but that can happen when you aren't starting and haven't been called up for England.

I think it is great that Arteta put him on at halftime because it showed that we're still confident in him and haven't overreacted about his performance against Bayern.

We weren't at our best today and MLS wasn't the only player who could have played better, but I think it is important that he played. I expect him to start against Brentford or Villa, and I think he'll play well.

He wasn't as bad as against Bayern but he definitely felt withdrawn and with his head not in the game. 2nd season issues are a thing and I think his normally unshakeable confidence has taken a hit of late. I think another part of the issue (and I really don't like having to harp on about this as I've been doing it since before his breakthrough even came) is that he really should be playing firmly in midfield. I've been warning that while Lewis-Skelly has more application than AMN did (although he did look a bit like AMN yesterday funnily), it's still not going to be a snug fit. He'll still be good there and I have no doubt he'll pick it back up but had he been getting the midfield minutes this season, I believe this slump he's in wouldn't be anywhere near as bad - although I'd still not be surprised if it occurred.

Lewis-Skelly IMO is still a mega talent, and definitely belongs at this level. Being on the periphery will always affect his game as he thrives on the responsibility normally - added to the fact that as a young man, he's still going to have teething problems. Nonetheless, we have to make sure that we don't lose the things that make him great, and I fear if he stays playing this current LB role we might see him stagnate. It's time for him to play in midfield more.

 

[bastun]

He wasn't as bad as against Bayern but he definitely felt withdrawn and with his head not in the game. 2nd season issues are a thing and I think his normally unshakeable confidence has taken a hit of late. I think another part of the issue (and I really don't like having to harp on about this as I've been doing it since before his breakthrough even came) is that he really should be playing firmly in midfield. I've been warning that while Lewis-Skelly has more application than AMN did (although he did look a bit like AMN yesterday funnily), it's still not going to be a snug fit. He'll still be good there and I have no doubt he'll pick it back up but had he been getting the midfield minutes this season, I believe this slump he's in wouldn't be anywhere near as bad - although I'd still not be surprised if it occurred.

Lewis-Skelly IMO is still a mega talent, and definitely belongs at this level. Being on the periphery will always affect his game as he thrives on the responsibility normally - added to the fact that as a young man, he's still going to have teething problems. Nonetheless, we have to make sure that we don't lose the things that make him great, and I fear if he stays playing this current LB role we might see him stagnate. It's time for him to play in midfield more.

I am really interested in seeing how MLS will be in 4-5 years time. I understand why most of our fans view him as a midfielder, but I cannot explain it, I think he doesn't have the minerals to establish himself as a starting midfielder for us regardless of the position.

 

[MutableEarth]

I am really interested in seeing how MLS will be in 4-5 years time. I understand why most of our fans view him as a midfielder, but I cannot explain it, I think he doesn't have the minerals to establish himself as a starting midfielder for us regardless of the position.

That's fair. I may be an outlier but I think he has the potential to be our best starting midfielder personally. Some of the things he is capable of, I can't think of many who have what he has.

 

[bastun]

That's fair. I may be an outlier but I think he has the potential to be our best starting midfielder personally. Some of the things he is capable of, I can't think of many who have what he has.

God willing you are right. I hope I eat my words.

 

[Red London]

He wasn't as bad as against Bayern but he definitely felt withdrawn and with his head not in the game. 2nd season issues are a thing and I think his normally unshakeable confidence has taken a hit of late. I think another part of the issue (and I really don't like having to harp on about this as I've been doing it since before his breakthrough even came) is that he really should be playing firmly in midfield. I've been warning that while Lewis-Skelly has more application than AMN did (although he did look a bit like AMN yesterday funnily), it's still not going to be a snug fit. He'll still be good there and I have no doubt he'll pick it back up but had he been getting the midfield minutes this season, I believe this slump he's in wouldn't be anywhere near as bad - although I'd still not be surprised if it occurred.

Lewis-Skelly IMO is still a mega talent, and definitely belongs at this level. Being on the periphery will always affect his game as he thrives on the responsibility normally - added to the fact that as a young man, he's still going to have teething problems. Nonetheless, we have to make sure that we don't lose the things that make him great, and I fear if he stays playing this current LB role we might see him stagnate. It's time for him to play in midfield more.

Yeh would love him to get more opportunities in games we are in control of, or cup games. Problem is I don’t see Arteta just leaving Merino without minutes when it comes down to it, especially once our CFs are back.

 

[Tnegs]

He’s a 19 year old world class talent in his second full season and he’s in poor form and lacking confidence at the moment. We saw his quality last season no reason to believe that we wouldn’t be seeing it again. He needs time and space to develop and get back into form. This is normal with young players surely we need a bit of patience here. Criticism is fine he did play poorly but there is no way he doesn’t make it here.

 

[BenTal]

What a crap first half performance

 

[Sanchez11]

Heads gone you can tell

 

[BenTal]

He doesn't do right at all. It's very weird with him. Zero confidence when he actually supposed to defend

 

[Batman]

He did have one very important tackle before the Wolves equalizer but that's really the only positive I can remember. He's got to simplify his game and just get back to doing the basics correctly. Just don't be a liability out there.

 

[El Duderino]

Time to move him into midfield, he's been very suspect defensively ever since the tail end of last season.

Love what he brings and his skill set, but the club is going to have to make a decision on him soon.

Can't risk another Nelson or AMN situation where he loses all value because we couldn't make our minds up.

 

[boonthegoon]

I thought he was fine today.

 

[El Duderino]

@MutableEarth MLS reminds me a bit of AMN and lacking focus, although not as direly.

Gets saved by his technique a lot more l, so I don't worry as much.

 

[Yousif Arsenal]

I think he done well today more focused but you can see mikel not trusting him he take unnecessary risks sometimes forget to press.

 

[Clrnc]

@MutableEarth MLS reminds me a bit of AMN and lacking focus, although not as direly.

Gets saved by his technique a lot more l, so I don't worry as much.

Spot on. I don't think it is a coincidence that he broke curfew in pre-season and remember I said Arteta wasn't too happy about it.

We have preferred almost every other combination than to just play MLS, a far cry from last year where he starts almost every game. I think it will take time for Arteta to trust him again