Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has been criticized by journalist Charles Watts after failing to add anything to his side's 0-0 draw with Everton at the weekend.
The Gunners failed to capitalize on Liverpool as they dropped a point against Fulham as they were also kept at home, Merino one of the culprits to be seen. disrupting Mikel Arteta's sidestyle of play.
Just talking CaughtOffside On his latest episode of the Daily Briefing, Watts discussed the disappointment, and admitted he felt it Merino did not make this type many fans will be optimistic.
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Watts thinks Arteta would have been better off using Ethan Nwaneri in Merino's place at the weekend, given the pressure on Martin Odegaard to be the only player to produce in midfield.
Mikel Merino made a disappointing display at Arsenal
"I liked the look of the starting XI when it was announced. It looked good from both sides, with all players playing in their natural positions. But I think a lot of players had an off day," Watts said.
"It has to be said that Everton played well. They were drilled very well and you can see that they have spent the last ten days working on how to upset Arsenal.
"They denied them space, especially down the right and kept things solid in the middle.
"But it was more like Arsenal playing better than Everton playing better. Martin Odegaard hasn't looked good and hasn't in the last few games and we know how that has affected this Arsenal side.
"When Odegaard arrives, Arsenal are a completely different proposition. It's just undeniable. But when he's not there or he's struggling to find form, they have no one else to emulate what he does.
"Mikel Merino played with him on Saturday and you can see that he is still working in the Arsenal team. He didn't do anything wrong against Everton, but he didn't add anything in attack.
"He wasn't a real threat and you didn't feel like he was going to be a prize-winner at Everton.
"In hindsight it's a great thing, but I would have liked to have seen Mikel Arteta instead of Merino and Ethan Nwaneri when the youngster came on early in the second half. Having Nwaneri and Odegaard working together in their pockets in front of Everton's back four would have given the visitors something more." something different to think about."
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