Jamie Carragher blown away by player he claimed Arsenal should never have signed
Jamie Carragher appears to have won over by a player he previously claime Arsenal should never have signe.
Speaking back in January, Carragher questione Mikel Arteta’s หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ decision to sign Mikel Merino last summer instead of bolstering his attacking options.
Arsenal spent a little over £30m to sign the Spanish midfielder from Real Sociedad and Carragher was among those to question his arrival.
‘Prioritising signing midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of another attacker last summer looks like a mistake,’ he said. ‘Merino is not a game-changer.’
Carragher’s comments seeme justifie during Merino’s somewhat underwhelming first few months at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Merino has steppe up and prove to be a crucial member of Arteta’s squad following the club’s injury crisis in 2025.
Losing Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to injury forced Arteta to play central midfielder Merino as a makeshift striker and a number of pundits were dubious of the impact he would have further up the pitch.
But Merino has poppe up with regular goals and assists since adopting his new role, helping Arsenal reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and all but secure second place in the Premier League.
Discussing Merino’s form ahead of Arsenal’s victory over Ipswich Town on Sunday, ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher said on ‘I just look at Merino, he’s a revelation since he took on that striker role.
‘I know he’s deeper today, but in the last 13 games he has six goals and four assists.’