Very happy with this think he will be a really solid, reliable performer for us, who knows how to play LCM.

He should also be able to spell Rice now and then and also keeps the experience high in our midfield when Jorginho/Partey leave next year and he doesn't block Nwaneri.

Should also have no issues settling in. He already knows Odegaard and Raya. Plus his manager Spanish. Also knows the league and English seems good 😍

Welcome to Arsenal Mikel. Looking forward to seeing your corner flag celebration ❤️🤍

Welcome Merino 🙂

We need to integrate him into the team before the City match. Main tactics should be hoofing it to him and Havertz in order to evade their press.

Does he make us stronger at breaking through a mid block?

    Clrnc He lived in Newcastle. His English must be good.

    Reckon even the native Geordies wouldn't be able to say their English is good.

      Mirth he makes us strong breaking through concrete blocks.

      • IBL likes this.

        this guy is going to eat good when our wingers cut in and swing in those far post crosses. he looks like a real aerial threat with good timing of runs into the box

          I don't know a whole lot about him as a player until we got linked so no idea what he'll be like or where he's going to be playing but hopefully the recruitment is good even if I didn't necessarily have his position as the main issue for the team.

          I really liked seeing Partey back including the lovely goal, but there were several moments against Villa where you could see weaknesses he brings. A few times Morgan Rogers just blew past him, one resulting in Rice having to track back and draw a yellow. And then our press is still a bit loose because he lacks the aggression.
          These are things Merino will solve immediately. And he brings physicality and size with him. It will still be great to have Partey for champions league and closing out games, but Merino has to start now and give us that physical edge in games

          Well, i dont know that Merino will start immediately. It will probably take him a few games to get into synch with the team during training.

            Mirth

            Let’s not talk about semantics - we MUST go into every game with the view of winning. No parking the bus BS v City either.

            Merino wasn’t signed to be on the bench, he just won the Euros so let’s go (admittedly this Sat could be too soon but we got 2 week break after).
            Lets be champions this year, not bridesmaids again. Life is short and football is fleeting - let’s go for it.

                Sicario2 - Tier 1
                Meanwhile in the real world, this current team's gone through 2024 losing once and drawing once. There's some pretty obvious reasons you don't change a team with that record until you're sure. Merino will be a vital part of this team but there's no need to fast track his introduction. I expect he'll be a mainstay in a month or two anyway. The same applies to Calafiori.

                Also parking the bus away at City was great. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

                    Mirth

                    Sorry I forgot we won something last season?

                    You’re telling me if we signed that Georgian lad this week you wouldn’t put him instead of Martinelli v Spurs away in 2.5 weeks?

                    You shouldn’t stand still. Merino is better than old and busted Partey (not sure how much he contributed in 2024?) and should be able to start a game in 2.5 weeks from now.

                        Sicario2 - Tier 1 mate, we just won 2 games without Merino, including against a team that beat us twice last year. There’s no rush.

                          Sicario2 - Tier 1 Sorry I forgot we won something last season?

                          I'll repeat - since we changed the shape of the team, we've been on a run where we've only dropped points twice - against Villa and City.

                          Do you remember why we lost the title? Not because we went for a draw away at the Etihad but because this time last season Arteta went fancy and messed around with the fundamentals that served him well in 2022/2023. By the time we went back to basics, we were already second favourites. Merino's role will impact Rice, Martinelli and Odegaard so it's not just a like for like swap.

                          You're right, you shouldn't stand still but when you're in a good run of form you better be 100% sure you don't slide backwards by being too clever.

                              Being real, there's definitely no need to start Merino at home to Brighton. Ideally we're ahead and Merino can come on for a solid half hour run-out to be welcomed by the fans and get used to the atmosphere.

                              To me it seems a pretty bad idea to give him a start, heaps unnecessary pressure on a guy who's just moved countries. But if he's obviously rolling then it's fair game afterwards.