Mikel Merino is the player I would be most excited to see start against Bournemouth. The case is that the Spaniard must prove himself to secure a place in the Arsenal lineup, but wouldn’t it be more prudent for him to start against Bournemouth?
By doing so, he would continue to build on the momentum he has gained since his appearances against PSG (27 minutes), Southampton (30 minutes), Denmark (29 minutes), and Serbia (64 minutes), following his return from injury.
In those appearances, the Spaniard has undoubtedly demonstrated his ability to enhance a team’s defence and overall performance. In just 27 minutes against PSG, he achieved the second-highest number of successful tackles. In the match against Southampton, he was second best in successful tackles in just 30 minutes and led in blocked shots.
Mikel Arteta and his technical bench should give Merino the chance to start against Bournemouth. If he does, he will have a clearer understanding of what he can contribute from Arsenal’s LCM by the time they face Liverpool.
With Rice capable of playing as an RCM for England, I can’t help but feel that even if the Spaniard starts, we can still have a strong midfield trio of Partey, Rice, and Merino, which could pose a challenge to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Darren N
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Are you sure? We were on the pressure after Partey left the field. Merino is slower than Xhaka. Merino seems a good passer of the ball but he’s Johinho-like, slow in defence. He could fo well with Rice but Rice can’t progress the ball like Partey that’s why for Arteta, Partey starts when fit.
Two players I will be scrutinizing today is the former Man City man Sterling, and Merino.
If I was a betting man, I would wager my bet that the former Man City man could end up winning the most penalties for Arsenal, comes the end of the campaign, there is signs he is returning to life.
Surely Merino and Sterling needs to get their feet properly wet, and where else better to have it done than at the Vitality ground.