Forgotten former Arsenal star, 28, labelled ‘best Spanish midfielder in the world’ as Merino struggles
ARSENAL fans are wishing they could turn back time as their frustrations over the form of Mikel Merino continue while an ex-star excels elsewhere.
Merino, 28, joined the Gunners this summer in a deal worth up to £31.6m but has struggled to get up to speed with Arteta’s side this term, leading to unrest amongst the fans over his involvement in the side.
The Spanish international has managed just two goals and one assist across all competitions this season and was off the pace as Arsenal dropped a two-goal lead against Aston Villa on Saturday.
To make things even more frustrating for Arsenal fans, one of their former stars is currently tearing it up elsewhere.
Former loanee midfielder Dani Ceballos has been labelled as the “best Spanish midfielder in the world” after he put on a show during Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Las Palmas on Sunday.
Ceballos, who played 77 times for Arsenal over two loan spells between 2019 and 2021, was the star man during Madrid’s thrashing of their La Liga counterparts.
The 28-year-old became the first midfielder to make over six tackles and six interceptions in one match across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
While he also became the first midfielder to contest in 12 or more duels in a single game and win them all.
His performance was recognised by a standing ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu crowd too when he was replaced by teenager Chema Andres in the 83rd minute.
Fans online recognised his brilliance too, with one writing: “He’s massively underrated, nobody talks about him.”
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While another added: “He’s playing like prime Sergio Busquets“.
And a third commented: “When he plays, we have so much more control in midfield. He’s been incredible every time he’s stepped on the pitch for us this season. What a player.”
Elsewhere Arsenal fans voiced their frustrations at the one that got away out performing their new arrival.
One moaned: “Wasted £70m on Merino & Calafiori instead of buying a goalscorer. Killed our dreams.”
And a second fumed: “Merino Pound for Pound the worst signing in Arsenal history?? I think so”.
While a third pointed out: “They told us this Merino don was a duel winner.”
Arsenal may have already found a solution to their issues in midfield with reports suggesting that the Gunners are close to agreeing a deal to sign Real Sociedad and Spain star Martin Zubimendi in the summer.
However, it’s an attacker that is the full focus of Arsenal’s recruitment team this month with the club crying out for a goal scorer in recent weeks.
The North Londoners have been linked with RB Leipzig‘s Benjamin Sesko and are also known to be huge admirers of Newcastle superstar Alexander Isak.
However, convincing any striker to jump ship in January is always a tall – and very expensive – order.
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Arsenal ratings vs Aston Villa
Arsenal's title hopes took a huge hit as they threw away a two-goal lead against Aston Villa
Leandro Trossard turned provider for the Gunners to set up both goals as it looked like they would cruise to three points.
But defensive lapses from two stars cost Arteta’s side dearly.
Here is how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the players…
DAVID RAYA – 6/10
Let down by those in front of him for both goals, a duo of close range efforts he had no chance with.
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – 8
With performances like this, he is suddenly the first name on the team sheet for Arteta. So calm and composed for someone so young, and his strength against bigger opposition is scary at times.
GABRIEL – 7
Made a crucial tackle one-on-one with Watkins and another block from a speedy counter
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Alert to foil counters against the pace of Watkins and coped well in general. It is not his fault that he doesn’t have the defensive presence of Saliba.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
A great stint at right back but one lapse in concentration cost Arsenal the lead, losing track of Watkins in the box before he volleyed in.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
A workman-like performance – won his duels and worked his socks off, but the small details were missing, shanking a good chance well wide in the first half.
He then lost his marker to allow Tielemans to head in and make it 2-1. Could have won it at the end with a scuffed effort in off Havertz that VAR chalked off and smacked the post too.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Integral to everything good about Arsenal and came close with a long-range punt in the second half.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 6
A solid display but he is really missing his partner in crime in Saka. He created as much as he could but sometimes needs to be more selfish to drag his team over the line.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 8
Deflected effort was comfortable for Martinez but his superb cross made life much harder for the Villa keeper to tee up Martinelli for the opener before blazing over himself.
The Belgian racked up his fifth Prem assist of the season in the second half for Havertz.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 8
Threatened at the far post early on, but got his rewards from the same position in the 35th minute with a stabbed effort ahead of Maatsen.
KAI HAVERTZ – 8
Again, lack of decent service left him living off scraps, but when he got a scrap he fired an effort straight at Martinez from close range.
The German more than made up for it after the break with a clinical finish, even if Martinez should have done better. That will do wonders for his confidence.
SUBS:
RAHEEM STERLING (MARTINELLI, 82) – 6
A few darting runs, but added virtually nothing, other than a needless yellow card. A cameo that screamed “lacking confidence”.