Keny Arroyo is a 17-year-old winger and midfielder who plays for Independiente del Valle. He has played for the U-17’s, U-19’s and even made his first-team debut for Independiente del Valle in 2023. Arroyo also played at the U-17 Sudamericano and U-17 World Cup. I wrote a scout report about Keny Arroyo in 2022.
He stands at around 1.75m – 1.80m with an average build. Arroyo holds his own in physical battles, being at a decent physical level. Keny Arroyo has a very good burst and also has decent speed over longer distances. He moves very fluidly and is naturally athletic. He can change directions very quickly and is agile. Arroyo is not very strong in aerial duels.
The midfielder has experience playing in a midfield three as the most advanced midfielder but also as a right- and left-winger. Keny Arroyo, like Kendry Páez, prefers to operate in the right half-space and this is also where he is most dangerous. He has excellent close control in tight areas, often having the ball on a string and looking strong on the ball. His quick changes of directions and burst of speed help him to create separation from his opponent in attacking 1v1s. Arroyo is very effective in attacking 1v1s. He has good passing technique over both short and longer distances, displaying his extensive passing range and having a wide range of passing techniques in his locker. Arroyo likes to play quick and short combinations to progress into the opponent’s box. He is also capable of putting in dangerous inswinging crosses from deeper areas, preferably from the right wing.
Keny Arroyo’s tactical intelligence and vision are key elements to his game. Even though he is very effective in attacking 1v1s, Keny Arroyo also creates plenty of chances for his teammates, displaying his creativity and vision to spot runners in behind. Arroyo also is a dangerous set-piece taker, even scoring free-kicks and putting in dangerous crosses from set-pieces. The young Ecuadorian can have lapses of concentration occasionally and was reportedly benched in the U-17 World Cup for disciplinary issues (but this is not confirmed). He has the tendency to sporadically make his actions too complicated, but his high-risk high-value playing style can also be very rewarding if he is playing well.
My expectation for 2024 is that Keny Arroyo becomes a squad player for the first team of Independiente del Valle. He is too good to play at U-19 level already at the age of 17. I would not be surprised if a big club signs Keny Arroyo in the summer of 2024, although it remains unknown for me if he has good or bad mentality. This will be a key factor to determine whether he’d be a good or bad signing for big clubs. Keny Arroyo has the potential to play for Champions League clubs in the top 5 leagues, I think he is in the same segment of talents like David Martinez.
Target Scouting 