Why Arsenal fan frustrations over Mikel Merino should be directed elsewhere
Why Arsenal fan frustrations over Mikel Merino should be directed elsewhere
Share:
Five months into life at Arsenal and Mikel Merino has already ticked off one task as he tries to replace Granit Xhaka. Just like Xhaka, the Spaniard has become a lightning rod for criticism in his attempts to become the final piece in Arsenal’s midfield jigsaw.
No more was that evident than on Saturday when, despite setting up Ethan Nwaneri for Arsenal’s only goal, Merino came under fire on social media for his performance in the draw at Brighton. He is not the first to suffer that and the left No8 position in Arsenal’s midfield has proved a difficult one for Mikel Arteta to fill ever since Xhaka left for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023.
Kai Havertz was originally bought to play there, but he was moved up front last season. Declan Rice was then pushed into the No8 role and admittedly excelled in the second half of the campaign. Arsenal swooped for Merino in the summer, though, and the plan was for him to play alongside Martin Odegaard, with Rice sat behind them at the base of midfield.
Merino arrived after helping Spain win Euro 2024 and with the reputation of being a ‘duel monster’. Last season, when playing for Real Sociedad, the 28-year-old won more duels than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. Merino has lived up to that hype at Arsenal. In Premier League games, he is ranked first in the Gunners squad for tackles in the final third per 90 minutes.
.jpg?trim=85,0,86,0&quality=75&auto=webp&width=1000)
-Cropped.png?width=1200&auto=webp)
