Why Merino Is The PERFECT Fit For Arsenal

Lyes Bouzidi reacts to news that Arsenal might be signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad and debates how this helps them win the Premier League over Manchester City.

[andersonimoh]

How does your channel only hv 9k subs??? This is the Mecca for common sense football fans. No shock jocking content but also interesting perspectives.

[Bubblingturnip]

Xhaka wanted to leave the year previous but Arteta managed to convince him to stay for another season. When Leverkusen came calling a year later and Xhaka still wanted to leave we decided not to stand in his way

[Daiton]

Arsenal are building a hell of a squad, Merino is a quality, quality addition to midfield. Good passer, combative, versatile, surprisingly agile, physical, good in the air, generally perfect for the profile of player Arteta likes in his squad. If they manage to bring another striker who can finish off more chances than Jesus, that's a title winning team for no doubt.

[JAYTLDN]

I really think the criticism of Havertz in the 8 is so premature. Last year he was thrust into a new team and a new position, finding his place in the team generally. He was always going to need to adjust. I know it’s preseason but he looked excellent in the 8 against Liverpool in the preseason game the other day. He’s an obvious option in that position - has all the tools to be great there - but I expect Merino to be the primary option there.

[abrarr.]

keep it up man, been watching you since early pre- current sds studio and always love your knowledge and arguments in debates. all love🙏

[AjeetSingh-xqyb]

I gotta drop a sub here. No BS, just straight ball knowledge. Lyes gonna reach GOAT levels soon.

[Ceelo]

Xhaka wanted to leave for family reasons and he was at the club 7-8 years change of environment makes sense tbh. He wanted to leave the year before but was convinced to stay. Arsenal wasn’t gonna stand in his way once we got the correct fee for him it wasn’t an issue only issue was not replacing him properly Havertz in midfield never made sense to me

[naping]

When i woke up and saw this I got so annoyed because of how good of a signing this is for Arsenal.

[jordandavis]

Putting a Merino next to a Rice and Odegaard with the backline of saliba, gabriel, white and Calafiori/ Timber is nastyyyy. Teams will have to let their shots off on goal from wherever they can.

[Londonguy_]

Great point at the end. Arsenal need players now who can find solutions and be the x-factor (like you said). They're probably 90% complete. They need match-winners and big game players to raise the level and win the difficult margins. That's it.

[TOYSoldier]

Xhaka wanted to leave on a high, he wanted to leave back when Arteta had just joined, he convinced him to stay he also renewed his contract when we had a good offer for him. Last summer Xhaka had redeemed himself, was getting to an age where offers were not going to get better than 25-30m, he also wanted a change in environment from the PL pressures. Ideally everyone at the club wanted to keep him another year and sell Partey. But he forced the move.

[abm]

What I love about Calafiori and Merino is that Gabriel and Rice need a rest.. We got lucky with injuries last two seasons. So if one goes down then they can come on at anytime.. Now we need a quality Saka sub

[husseinlutfi]

In terms of Xhaka, the club would have loved nothing for than for him to stay and sign a new deal but Xhaka himself felt it was time for a new adventure and there was talk his wife wanted to raise their family in Germany so we respected his wishes and let him leave. But if Mikel/the club had the choice he would be starting next to rice going into this season.

[ordenax]

Wow! Mikel Merino telling others, on his own channel, that he will be a great addition to Arsenal. Amazing!

[JOHN-tkeb]

Arteta on the first day said He only wants players who want to be there... Xhaka wanted to leave.

[AliAli-lmfp]

Been here since 1k goin be here til 1 mil❤

[andrewsitfra]

Seems most fans still have the old rumours, Xhaka recently had an interview where he revealed arsenal had no plans to give him a new deal at that time. I am sure if the club really wanted him he would have stayed. They thought they would find someone better but made a wrong signing in Havertz

[WHUCallum_]

Remember seeing a stat in a game last season, cant remember who it was against but Merino had 16/20 AERIAL duels won😂

[Flo_]

The reason why I think Arteta played Havertz at midfield is because of his build and ability to box crash, not to mention Jesus’ injury issues and physical decile was also unexpected, and I don’t think Arteta trusted Nketiah enough. Havertz’ build is desirable for a midfielder, slim and tall but very strong in the duel and very good aerially. Also his ability to invade the box is top tier. I think it was something deserving to be tested, and while ultimately it didn’t work out I wouldn’t call it a waste.

[lapouwapou]

Yoo man, where can i watch the podcast with you and cams about the signings of most clubs. I saw a video of you guys on b/r sports on tiktok but I couldn’t find the whole video