Arsenal finally confirmed Mikel Merino’s deal on Tuesday. The Gunners revealed he will feature in at least 2 training sessions and will also be able to be registered before the Friday matchday squad registration deadline to feature in the weekend.
The Arsenal technical bench is likely to include him in the squad for the match against Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. Maybe it’s a bit too soon to hand him a complete start for Arsenal this weekend, but once the international break is over, Mikel Arteta will have two important decisions to make for Arsenal.
Arsenal has been having a tough time without a proper LCM. Ever since rumours began swirling about his potential move to Arsenal, people have hailed Merino as the saviour for that position.
Arteta might need to do one thing to introduce the Spaniard to the team. He might need to look beyond Jorginho and Thomas Partey as options for his holding midfielders. Before Merino joined, the two were to take turns playing as a 6.
So, going forward, it might be a beneficial idea for Declan Rice to go back to playing as a defensive midfielder, with Merino taking the left central midfield position and Odegaard taking the right central midfield position. With the trio, Mikel Arteta can finally assemble his dream midfield, which, combined with Arsenal’s strong defence, could set the stage for Arsenal’s dominance.
Jack Anderson
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I think hes going to switch to a double pivot of rice and merino with odegaard getting more freedom to do his thing.
I agree Liam and when one goes forward the other will stay back, meaning no need for Partey as basically that’s what Partey and Rice have been doing.
As long as he’s fit, I’m in favour of giving him some playing time asap. Not a whole 90mins but a run out as long as the way the game is going allows for it.
Like Calafiore before him, Merino is an (expensive) Arsenal asset, and he should be utilised.
Rice’s playmaking ability didn’t seem as good as Partey’s and Jorginho’s in the CDM position, but maybe he had learned from both senior playmakers
Rice is better defensively than Partey and Jorginho, but we might be better at attacking if we start with Partey, Odegaard and Merino
I agree
The evidence from last season showed Rice really was not that good as a number six for a side that wants to move the ball quickly out of defence.
Merino looks an excellent buy I would rather keep Partey there for now
I’m confident Merino will debut in a 6 role. But we will see Rice, Kai and Merino in 8 during the season.
What’s Knick name for Merino? You have Anything better than Wooly?
My Nan had a Merino cardigan. So how about cardigan? He will certainly need one relocating to UK.
Wishful thinking, Partey is still better than both players.
I’m almost dumbfounded with what I’m reading
GAI always says funny things so I’m not to surprised there
“Rice better than Partey defensively?”
Only Rodri is/can be better than Partey defensively in the whole wide world
Partey is better than both Rice and Merino
Good. That’s just as well Partey is the Goat then. As Cardigan has broken his shoulder.
If you can’t survive even one training session with Gabi XL without sending in a 6-week sick note, it doesn’t bode well for surviving long in a Premiership season.