Mik Merino: Page 31 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Mik Merino

flobaba

Juan Merino. My man.

That sequence that Arteta noted exemplifies him. "Bad" pass, Odegaard gives up on it and falls back. He sprints after it all the way, fully 30 yards, starts the press, gets dribbled past, tracks back and wins the ball. In the 80somethingth minute.

That's incredible stuff guys. That's just incredible stuff. That's your lighthouse player right there.

Then I watch Gyokeres come in and half ass it for 15 minutes or so.

Sicario2

Qwiss

Sicario2 "Forces" Saka to make the run by playing the ball where Saka pointed for him to play the ball 😆

Anyway yeah Merino is incredibly intelligent as a footballer. He doesn't have the agility and speed of so many other players but the way he reads situations is amazing.

flobaba

Speaking of the runs, those out to in runs I feel we don't make as aggressively or incisively as I would like. For me, it's down to our style of play where we primarily want to give the short option unless the defender overcommits to closing it down and then we try to get in behind as a secondary run.

We should be more actively seeking those whenever defenders/ teams are pressing high. And of course the midfielders should be more alert to picking out the runs.

daredevil

Merino is like one of those annoying Spaniards that mid-doors City used to buy like your Negredo or Navas who always turned out to be effective while largely being quite mid.

Tbf he has stepped up his game considerably - it's just funny that neither he or Havertz can do what they do from a midfield starting position. Theoretically, they should be ideal at doubling up the threat with the CF.

Don Pacifico

daredevil I still believe Havertz has potential in that role. His move to CF coincided with when he was building up a bit confidence (in the side but also in midfield specifically) so I think he could play a role there this season.

Merino is a funny one though. Like you, he looks like he has all the basics ingredients to play that role but I wonder if he struggles with the lack of time/space he gets in the PL when he's got that more fixed position.

HomeSteak

Nice video with Merino and Timber.

RocktheCasbah

HomeSteak I caught a bit of Merino's bit when it was broadcast this afternoon. His intelligence really comes through, I think. Very smart footballer.

Gazza M

RocktheCasbah much like arteta when he was a player, he speaks like a future coach

CPM

Incredible player. Has there ever been another player who could play a quality center forward and a quality pivot?

Gurgen

CPM Ruud Gullit

daredevil

Said this in the match day thread but I thought he would be a future 6 for us when he first joined - as he shares many traits with Rodri/Busquets. His lack of mobility gets exposed at 8.

MistaT

daredevil -- agreed.
He's more of a 6 than a 8, and more of a 9 than a 8.

Lukazan

Enjoyed his passing today, and that turn at the beginning with 2 players on him was quality.

Don Pacifico

Feels like we've started to see the Merino from Sociedad that we bought. Maybe it's just taken him to acclimatise (and rack up the minutes in midfield as opposed to CF!).

Sicario2

He did well but he played a relegation championship side. I liked his leadership qualities today though.

lorddulaarsenal

Clever fucker. Uses his angle bias so well. Reads opponents actions and uses pausa to a very high standard. Combining that with his ability to win duels and you have yourself a proper team player

Burnwinter

He's effectively upgraded Jorginho. Very different attributes but similar dad-eriffic presence and squad role, only years younger and readier to rock.

The combined fee for this guy and Zubimendi was a wonderful bargain.

Sicario2

Burnwinter That is an insult to Jorginho. Jorginho you could put in big prem games and not worry. Merino has been mainly a passenger in the prem unless he plays upfront when he has been more effective.

Jorginho has technically been replaced by Nogaard anyway.

Coombs

Very neat player, so good to have.

Burnwinter

Sicario2 Jorginho you could put in big prem games and not worry.

Jorginho made a decent number of high profile defensive errors due to his slowing foot speed, particularly in the period soon after he arrived at Arsenal.

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