Morning all.
I don’t know about you guys, especially the “tactical geniuses” out there, but whilst I’m watching a game of football, it’s usually what a player does well or not so well which stands out. The in-depth stuff passes me by, probably because I’m more interested in watching the game as a fan rather than with a coach’s hat on. If I’m honest, I don’t have one to put on. I grew up with football being a simple game but nowadays, everything is analysed to death in my opinion. Even the officiating as an offside de ion can be decided on a toenail which I personally find ridiculous.
Anyway, I was having a look around Arsenal’s official website and spotted an article from the club’s tactics man Adrian Clarke who highlighted how good the often much criticised Mikel Merino was against Chelsea.
Impressive yes?
I’d imagine that his stats would read similar for most of the games he’s played in but because he’s not flash, doing magical things or scoring goals every week, the internet world has suggested he’s been a waste of money. Something I’ve always disagreed with strongly but never felt the need to express my opinion. After all, personal opinion is not really something which can be criticised. However, when written in black and white as Adrian Clarke has done after the Chelsea game, it shows just how good he was that day. To top it off, he scored our only goal to secure maximum points against a club breathing down our necks for a top four place.
Whilst one might think there was an element of fortune to his goal, Clarke suggests that this is in fact a new set-piece routine tried for the first time. Instead of loitering at the back post, the players grouped at the near post to visually block out Sanchez in goal. Then, it was down to Merino to lose his marker as he moved from the penalty spot to the front of the group of players and get his head to the ball. He did exactly what this new move required and it paid off.
With the goal threat from our corners having dried up somewhat of late, the coaching staff, probably Jovier, has come up with new ideas. We’ve seen a few but so far, this is the only one to reap reward although Declan Rice came close a week or so ago with a fab volley from just inside the penalty area.
I suppose the moral of this story is, just because a player looks like he might not be much good or doing enough on the pitch, especially for someone like me who only really watches where the ball is and where it’s going next – mostly because that’s television coverage for you, what a player is doing off the ball can slip ones notice.
Another thing I often find myself reminding me is where players play on the pitch. Thomas Partey for example is not a right-back, Jakub Kiwior is not a right sided defender and Oleksandr Zinchenko is not particularly good at left-back because he lacks pace but played in their true position, they can excel. Whilst we had so many injuries, perhaps we could have been a little more forgiving. After all, few clubs have a squad of 22/25 players who are all at the same level. Unless that club is Chelsea of course….
Lastly, good luck to the Arsenal women who take on Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight.
Catch up in the comments..
Morning Rico, regarding Stewart Robson he worked for the club on Arsenal TV but was continually criticising Wenger and Arsenal and after a raft of complaints by fans he was sacked.
I did hear that he was very unpopular in the dressing room at West Ham after he joined them?
Morning Kev. I had a feeling it was something like that with him.
Morning rico, Kev, good article and fully agree. I think only Haarland and Marmoush have scored more goals than Merino since he started as a number 9, thats not too bad a start and I think he’s learning hold up play better all the time.
Morning Andrew, thanks.
That’s quite a stat..
Afternoon all.
A few weeks ago I was one of those who felt Merino was taking a while to get up to Premier league speed and I am happy to read I was missing the good stuff that he does, no matter as he’s doing very well.
Indeed, come on the Arsenal women, show the men how it’s done.
I don’t think the medical that Merino “passed” prior to signing was carried out with sufficient rigour which meant that he was either unfit or carrying an injury or two. Once he had recovered fully and gained some match fitness he was able to show what a good signing he is. He seems to be a calm and thoughtful footballer and is already showing his class and adaptability.
Yes Cicero, I’m.. much happier at what we’re now seeing.
His injury at the beginning of the season was freak, being out for two months hardly helped Merino’s fitness levels. I’m pretty sure had he not suffered that injury, I think he’d have been fine in this team.
I wouldn’t want to clatter into Gabriel 🤣
Dreadful pitch the women are playing on.
Don’t very often see that kind of mistake from Williamson..
Great point Rico on Merino, I’d kinda forgotten that he got injured before he’d even had a chance to play for us and that has obviously had to have had an effect on his fitness and getting up to speed, in fact we may not get to see the best of him until next season?
Andrew, I’m fairly certain that Merino won’t have to play up front for us next season if the club actually does the business they should have done already. If they sign the two strikers I think we need and Kai recovers then we should be fixed up front, Jesus should return towards the end of the year so we could have four options up front by the December holiday program?
I don’t think you’re the only one Kev. Nearly two months out is a lot of match fitness to lose. Plus, he still had to learn a lot about the way we play and get used to his teammates after he returned. Far from ideal for him. We’ve been so lucky to have Partey fit. I certainly didn’t see that coming.
Two iffy moments defensively and we lose two nil. Terrible pitch, more like muddy cabbage patches prior to the introduction of composite pitches.
All to play for in the return leg on a proper pitch at The Emirates.
I wonder why the game was played at Real’s ground. Seems ridiculous that at this stage of the competition, or any stage really, the game is played on such a dreadful pitch. It’s the same for both teams I know but Real might be used to it and our women aren’t..
Morning Cicero, all.
Off for the weekly swim. 🏊
A.K.A. Bath night😂?
If Zubamendi signs to replace Jorginho , Merino can move backwards to supplement or replace Partey should he leave . His experience of this season will make him a more dangerous midfielder and gives options with Rice as well. He could well work out to be the signing many were dubious about
“” It’s the same for both teams I know but Real might be used to it and our women aren’t..::
Can’t beat a few years on the scrubs or marshes to teach you how to play on crap pitches and it strengthens your ankles too. If you only play on carpets teams will use it as a weapon against you . How many times have the men played lower division teams that don’t cut the grass for a week so that the ball is slowed and doesn’t carry when passed .
Celebratory dinner for two tonight, our wedding anniversary, fifty-nine years of marital bliss.
Oh and Berg, I’ll have you know I take a bath every six months, whether I need it or not. 😉
Congrats Cicero regards to Terentia. Nice sunny day in this part of the woods ,.
Congratulations Cicero.😆
You mean Stoke, Bolton etc Potter. 😜
Congratulations to you and your wife Cicero, she’s been through a lot thanks to Arsenal. 😂
Well done to you both Cicero, your wife must be an amazing woman. 😁
https://dailycannon.com/2025/03/conor-henderson-arsenal-coach/
She is Kev, but then I’m a very tolerant husband. 😉
Thanks to you all for the good wishes, we both enjoyed them.
This international break seems even worse than usual,maybe because we haven’t had one for a few months.
One interesting thing relates to the England squads,I’ve seen in a few different places that the U21 squad is stronger than the senior squad. I’m not sure about that but you could certainly put out a very strong first 11 from the U21s.
Changing the subject how come Chelsea are allowed to announce the signing of some Sporting youngsters,I think they are staying on loan for now ??
They are stockpiling them in their academy. I read that some other major European clubs are doing the same. There are also rumours that some of the deals amount to people trafficking.
she’s been through a lot thanks to Arsenal. 😂
And Chelsea I seem to remember
Cicero didn’t support Chelsea once, surely 😜
That’s an odd on re the under 21 players and Chelsea. Unless the deals were done in January.
I think his wife No doubt he could confirm
Rings a bell now. The Mourinho years must have been hell…. 😂
New post up.