Not the greatest start to the Arsenal career of a European Championship winner - but we have to remember it is just the start.
Yesterdays hook at half time was after being unfortunate not to win a penalty for being double fiisted, then unfortunate for conceding a penalty with the arm in a natural position and the ball being flicked onto arm from a couple of inches away. Could have been a very different story with a different ref.
There are many mitigating factors:
- He is new to the PL and still adjusting
- His untimely injury before he even made his debut
- Yet to appear with Odegaard
- Not really playing in the position he was bought to play
- The whole team is off form.
We have to give him time and hope he comes good. As yet his only real notable act was that goal against Liverpool. He has only played 8 times and 5 of those were 45 minutes or less. Hopefully after the international break he will find some rhythm and connection with Odegaard and Rice and show his true quality.
Mikel Merino...
posted 19 hours, 52 minutes ago
Apart from the first 10 mins, we controlled the game the whole way through. Havertz in midfield is AWFUL.
posted 19 hours, 48 minutes ago
Merino wasnt on my wish list of the summer either. He know him from his Dortmund time and then he played for Newcastle as well.
I think he is a acceptable squad player but not a starter for me.
posted 18 hours, 50 minutes ago
comment by Peeboh (U3245)
posted 59 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 15 minutes ago
I just find him slow and lacking creativity. I hope that improves when he starts to anticipate more. My worry is it won't. Just compare how more control we had when the much maligned Havertz started to drop into midfield in the second half against Inter.
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Cos they were 1-0 up and protecting a lead in typical Italian fashion you havertz cawqriding caaant 🤣
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You got to get over your simplistic stereotypes pal. No team Italian or otherwise sits back only one goal down at home. Two or three you would have a point. Inter were driven back because we outnumbered them in midfield. And Havertz was far more skilful in doing that. And he ain't no press guru.
posted 18 hours, 43 minutes ago
Yeah don't think it's fair to judge him in these circumstances. Disappointing start? Yes. But I don't think he was ever gonna be a huge difference maker, I think he was supposed to bring the lower level of the midfield up.
posted 18 hours, 37 minutes ago
I am sure he was always a starter. You don't spend £32m on a 28-year-old backup.
posted 16 hours ago
It’s difficult to say, you have Rice Partey and Merino all with limited attacking ability. Let’s see what adding Odegaard does. It was obvious that the team needed a player in midfield who could play the ball forward quickly etc but not to be
posted 15 hours, 49 minutes ago
Typical Arteta signing. Physical, 6ft plus and good at scoring headers
posted 15 hours, 41 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
I am sure he was always a starter. You don't spend £32m on a 28-year-old backup.
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I think the plan would have been to rotate between him, Rice and Partey without the standard dropping at all over the course of the season.
posted 5 hours, 23 minutes ago
Quite sure Partey is on the way out. So it would have been Rice/Merino/Odegaard.
posted 5 hours, 14 minutes ago
Merino has been crap so far despite scoring against Liverpool.
He played for Newcastle before but wasnt that great