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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has been singled out for criticism by journalist Charles Watts after failing so as to add something to the staff’s assault within the 0-0 draw with Everton on the weekend.
The Gunners did not capitalise on Liverpool dropping factors in opposition to Fulham as they have been additionally held at residence, with Merino one of many major culprits that appeared to negatively influence Mikel Arteta’s aspect‘s model of play.
Talking solely to CaughtOffside for his newest Day by day Briefing column, Watts mentioned the disappointing draw, and admitted he felt Merino wasn’t actually making the form of influence many followers may have hoped for.
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Watts thinks Arteta would have been higher off utilizing Ethan Nwaneri in Merino’s position on the weekend, taking the stress off Martin Odegaard to be the one actual inventive participant in that midfield.
Mikel Merino put in a disappointing show for Arsenal
Mikel Merino in motion for Arsenal (Photograph by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
“I truly appreciated the look of the beginning XI when it was introduced. It appeared nicely balanced on each side, with gamers all enjoying of their pure positions. However I simply suppose too many gamers had an off day,” Watts mentioned.
“It should be famous that Everton performed nicely. They have been extraordinarily nicely drilled and you could possibly see that they had spent the previous ten days engaged on precisely how they have been going to frustrate Arsenal.
“They denied them area, particularly down the proper hand aspect and saved issues so tight within the central areas.
“Nevertheless it was simply as a lot as Arsenal enjoying poorly than it was Everton enjoying nicely. Martin Odegaard simply didn’t look proper and he hasn’t for the previous few video games and we all know how a lot of an influence that has on this Arsenal aspect.
“When Odegaard is on it, Arsenal are a very completely different proposition. That’s simply simple. However when he’s absent or he’s struggling for type, they only don’t have anybody else who can replicate what he does.
“Mikel Merino performed alongside him on Saturday and you’ll see he’s nonetheless working his manner into this Arsenal staff. He didn’t do something incorrect in opposition to Everton, however he didn’t actually add something in an attacking sense.
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“He was by no means actually a risk and also you by no means felt like he was going to be the individual to prize open the Everton defence.
“Hindsight is a superb factor, however I might a lot reasonably have seen Mikel Arteta change Merino with Ethan Nwaneri when the teenager got here on early within the second half. Having Nwaneri and Odegaard working subsequent to one another in these pockets in entrance of the Everton again 4 would have given the guests one thing a bit completely different to consider.”
