Arsenal Fans Left Unimpressed by Mikel Merino’s Debut: "Sociedad Sold Us a Lemon"
Mikel Merino finally made his Arsenal debut in the 2-0 win over PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but the Spaniard’s performance did little to impress the fans.
Merino, who joined the Gunners from Real Sociedad in the summer transfer window for a fee reportedly worth up to £31.6m including add-ons, came on in the 64th minute to replace Thomas Partey in midfield. He partnered Declan Rice in the middle of the park, but struggled to make an impact.
Fans were quick to take to social media to express their disappointment with Merino’s display, with one fan stating: "Honestly, Merino looks the weakest in that midfield." Another fan agreed, writing: "Thomas Partey subbed off. Merino and Rice back at 6 And Arsenal has totally lost control over game."
It’s clear that Merino has a lot to work on if he’s to win over the fans. He struggled to get into the game and was easily shrugged off by the PSG midfield. The Spaniard’s lack of pace and movement was particularly noticeable, as he often found himself a yard behind the play.
However, not all fans were quick to judge Merino. One fan, in particular, took issue with the way the midfielder was being criticized, stating: "Already seeing morons on Twitter saying Merino is a waste of money… Less than 10 mins into his debut after barely touching a ball in a month."
The reality is that Merino is still finding his feet at Arsenal, and fans need to give him more time to settle into the team. The midfielder’s debut was always going to be a tough one, coming as it did off the back of a long injury layoff.
In all, Merino’s debut was a disappointing one, but it’s not time to write him off just yet. The Spaniard has the potential to be a top player for Arsenal, and fans should be patient and give him more time to prove himself.
Follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on Arsenal and all the latest football news