Arsenal Summer Signing Struggles Persist Against Brentford as Carragher Voices Criticism
The decision to acquire midfielder Mikel Merino over another attacking player last summer now seems like a misjudgment, as Merino is not seen as a player who significantly alters match outcomes.
This was notably stated by Jamie Carragher in January, when he identified the Spanish player’s arrival as the primary reason Arsenal would be unable to secure the league title.
His prediction was accurate in that Arsenal failed to overtake Liverpool last season.
However, they are now widely regarded as strong contenders to win the Premier League this season, having acted upon the prevalent advice (including Carragher’s) by adding a new forward to their team.
Merino has emerged as the essential striker Arsenal needed, a role some might have expected Viktor Gyokeres to fill, who remained on the bench at the Emirates.
This transformation could stem from increased competition for his spot, the team’s overall progress under Mikel Arteta’s ongoing plan, or simply his improved comfort and adaptation over time.
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Wayne Rooney expressed admiration when Merino was assigned the central forward role last season. Before Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in April, Rooney commented that Merino had been ‘outstanding,’ suggesting he might have been ‘underappreciated’ given the widespread discussion about Arsenal’s supposed lack of a primary striker.
Rooney praised Merino for embracing the center-forward position, acknowledging the significant mental and tactical adjustments required when moving from a midfield role.
He concluded by highlighting Merino’s ‘remarkable’ performances and his contribution of several vital goals.
Following his goal that leveled the score at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, he then scored the first goal against Brentford.
This brings his tally to four goals and two assists in six appearances as a starting striker this season. The Brentford goal, in particular, exemplified the qualities of a quintessential forward.
For this goal, Noni Madueke skillfully flicked the ball to Ben White, who then crossed it into the key attacking area.
Merino, having cleverly positioned himself outside the defenders’ direct view, timed his run perfectly to get ahead of Ethan Pinnock and head the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher.
Given Arsenal’s heightened dominance this season, which often leads opposing teams to adopt defensive strategies and prioritize counter-attacks, Merino appears to be increasingly well-suited as their primary striker.
Gyokeres could potentially have made the same play and scored here. However, he does not possess the masterful passing ability Merino demonstrated when assisting Leandro Trossard against Tottenham.
Additionally, the player, valued at £55 million, cannot often expect the significant open space he exploited while playing for Sporting, where he would frequently overpower defenders before scoring in his characteristic powerful manner.
Arsenal’s usual approach for securing most of their wins involves attempting to breach opposing defenses through clever, coordinated passing near the penalty area.
This is a style of play that Merino is much more proficient at contributing to than Gyokeres.
Interestingly, Gyokeres’s removal from the team has coincided with a significant improvement in Arsenal’s fluid play and the threat they pose to rival teams during general gameplay.
These additions provide manager Arteta with various tactical alternatives, allowing him to adapt his approach based on the specific circumstances of each game.
However, for the majority of Arsenal’s matches this season, Merino is anticipated to be the primary selection, with Gyokeres likely serving as a substitute or remaining on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.
