One can hardly argue with the fact that Mikel Arteta now commands one of the strongest squads Arsenal have ever assembled.
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given believes this team is strong enough to win the league, and it’s difficult to disagree.
But while the squad depth is enviable, not many would relish being in Arteta’s shoes. With a wealth of quality comes the challenge of selecting the strongest XI while keeping everyone happy.
At times, Arteta will have to make tough decisions, such as who starts and who sits on the bench. And one of the players likely to complicate these team selections is Mikel Merino.
Looking at Arsenal’s midfield options, few would have predicted the Spaniard playing a key role this season. The arrivals of Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze were expected to push him down the pecking order.
Yet Merino has refused to fade. His standout performances on international duty, including a hat-trick, followed by a brilliant display against Nottingham Forest, highlight a player determined to fight for his place and doing a fine job of it.
Merino Stood Out Against Forest
Former Gunner Adrian Clarke was full of praise for Merino’s underappreciated showing on Saturday afternoon:
“I do want to have a quick word on Mikel Merino, Zubimendi’s midfield partner.
“I thought he had a really good game. Perhaps a bit of a surprise selection ahead of Declan Rice – certainly with Athletic Club on Tuesday in mind – but he was every bit as good as Rice would’ve been, in my opinion.
“Some amazing numbers from him, as always. He’s a machine. We know about his goals – he’s a good finisher and scored loads for Spain during the break – but he covered 12.38 kilometres in this match, the most of any Arsenal player.
“He made 353 intensive runs. That’s not easy over 90 minutes. Again, a team high. He also won possession back on eight occasions, whether in central midfield or during the final 20 minutes when he was pushed up front.
“So yes, he showed his worth. I thought it was a smart selection from Arteta, and he repaid that faith.”
Arteta’s decision to bench Declan Rice in favour of Merino against Forest, and the fact that levels did not drop, speaks volumes about the strength and versatility of this Arsenal side.
Now, it’s all about finding the right balance, knowing when to rotate and who to trust in key moments.
Merino has risen to the occasion, and one would hope fellow Gooners see him as an example of grit and determination.
Because if Gabriel Martinelli can channel that same hunger to stay relevant, there’s no reason he can’t turn things around and make a statement at Arsenal.
What are your thoughts on Merino Gooners? Should he make the starting XI more often?
Daniel O
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Merino stood out against Forest. Not true. One of the overpriced midfielders unable to cope with speed of the league. Better a second striker than a midfielder.
The competition for the left-sided AM role between Merino, Rice, Havertz and Eze will only make Arsenal stronger
Unfortunately, our RWs and right-sided AMs haven’t been able to make high-quality long diagonal passes frequently for Merino’s head yet
@Gai, if Arteta can take the risk of playing Zubimendi on the Right Side AM and make Rice NO6 we could see some diginal passed to the left side. That’s what Odegard suppose to do but he isn’t doing that on BSaka does that occasionally. But from the pass Zubimendi gave Gyokeres to score a header last friendly with Athletic I think he has the technical ability to do more of that.
Imo, EZE would have been allowed to play a NO10.
Three DM in midfield? where will the creativity come from?. It’s time Arteta starts taking risk with Nwaneri that’s why he was signed. He could be a bright spark in Europe
I’m afraid Zubimendi won’t be able to cut inside easily from the right-sided AM position, because of his pace and weaker foot
I’d prefer Eze there, because he might be more two-footed and trickier
Merino, probably is not a starter in any particular position when all are fit, but he is a reliable deputy in a number of roles. A good utility player, who is limited but reliable. I don’t see him in the best 11.
Reggie
I agree with you about Merino; fine player brings something to the squad, just don’t see him beating out Rice or Eze in the midfield role.
No way Havertz beats out Rice or Eze in midfield, and honestly the team is stronger with Merino in midfield rather than Havertz.
Havertz is better at backup striker, but that is my opinion; he was never a good replacement for Xhaka on the left.
Agree. Not a striker but I hope Haverz manages to push Gyokores for a start. It would only benefit Arsenal.
Wow that’s twice I am agreeing with your comments. !
Havertz scoring goals when he comes on or in Cup matches will only spur Gyokeres on and if not he steps in and Gyoekres has to step up
Also re Merino…didn’t he and Zubamendi play at Real Sociedad together? So maybe something there that they already have a good connection
Best of luck to the boys tonight!
Spot on Reggie, Durand, Neil. One thing though, I don’t expect Real Sociedad’s long-time engine room to be close to being good enough for the Arsenal and I think Zubamendi and Merino were likely akin to Batman and his sidekick Robin, respectively.
So this line up means Eze goes on the left wing again, with Odegaard not even on the bench it is looking more and more Eze will not be afforded a run in his favorite no 10 role.
With the low blocks teams coming up, time to get the former Crystal Palace Man integrated in the play maker’s role.
Common sense and after thought following Bilbao game confirms above opinions regarding Merino being a useful utility forward when coming off the bench.
This was a control performance, very professionally handled by the gaffer.
Slot after the Liverpool win against Arsenal ‘ A draw would have been a fair result ‘
There is no doubt the young Arteta is a tactical genius.
His innovative, structured and flexible approach to the modern game is right up there with some of Europe elite.
The Spaniard have transformed Arsenal playing style, his mentorship on positional play and defensive solidity quite often than not ,is critique by armchair managers and fans alike that it is having too much control on the game of play.
But when one look at the disarray of the sleeping giant at Old Trafford, Chelsea blowing hot and cold, One has to admit ,the stable but hard to beat three consecutive runners up Arsenal, have got all their ducks in a row.
You “can’t keep a good man down”, and Merino will get plenty of game time (not necessarily starts) in forward, defensive and midfield positions.
People are saying Eze is the solution for left side & centre AM. It is too early and his performance yesterday in CL showed that. He needs time to adjust with other players before he can deliver his best & even then he can’t be all weather solution!
Every player in the team will play decisive role at one point or other. We must support all of them.
For me Eze is a better no. 10 than Merino so yesterday I preferred Eze to Merino in the starting line up. Midfield zubi rice eze. Attack Madueke Gyokeres Trossard. Merino and Marti to come off the bench. Eze as a 10 enhances the creativity of the team and brings him closer to Gyo. Eze can’t play as a left wing back as he did yesterday for he lacks the pace. When Havertz returns he takes over the left wing back position. If we dream of winning all the 4 trophies, we could not be considered crazy as options are plenty this time around.