Arsenal have continued their brilliant start to the season after beating PSG on matchday 2 of the Champions League.
The Gunners have stacked up a 9-game unbeaten streak this season. A display of good football against Paris Saint-Germain was an example of how strong Arsenal started their season. Mikel Arteta’s men outmatched the youngsters of the Parisian club.
Arsenal hosted PSG at the Etihad Stadium. The Gunners won the match with a comfortable 2-0 scoreline. The goalscorers were Kai Havertz and also Bukayo Saka. Arteta’s squad were able to finish off their clinical chances. PSG lacked coordination and connection missed on their openings.
This was an important game for Arsenal as they were goalless against Atlanta on match day 1. David Raya was clinical in this match as he denied PSG from scoring. Raya was also the man of the match in Atlanta. He kept the Europa League winners goalless by saving a penalty.
The match against PSG also saw the debut of Arsenal’s new signing Mikel Merino. The Spaniard’s debut was much awaited as he got injured in the pre-season training sessions. Gabriel Martinelli had fallen on Merino’s shoulder injuring him just before the season started.
Merino joined Arsenal in the latest summer transfer window from Real Sociedad. The Gunners acquired the midfielder at a fee of 31.6 million euros plus add-ons. The club signed Mikel to fill their injured captain Martin Odegaard’s role. While the Norwegian is still on the sidelines Merino will add depth because of his experience in Arteta’s squad.
Fans and manager vocal on Arsenal’s new Signing
Arsenal acquired Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad in the August summer transfer window. The Spanish international was long awaited to make his debut for the Gunners.
Merino was injured in pre-season training and was out of the squad. The midfielder made his debut against PSG on matchday 2 of the Champions League.
The midfielder was subbed on in the 64th minute to replace Thomas Partey. The fans were not overly pleased with Merino’s performance calling him slow on the ball and losing possession.
While many Arsenal fans criticized Merino, some came in support of the Spaniard. The X feed was full of Gunners fans analyzing and criticizing Merino’s gameplay against PSG. Some people came in support of Mikel. They said that he is a new player in the Arsenal squad and needs time to settle in. Merino played for almost 20 minutes and it is too early to judge him.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a different perspective on Mikel Merino’s involvement in the match against PSG. While talking about Merino the coach said-
“Mikel is a player that will bring us huge quality, experience and versatility”.
The manager said that the Spanish international has played top games at the club and international level. It would be an asset to include him in the Gunners squad. The 28-year-old had an important place with Real Sociedad where he made 242 appearances for the La Liga club.
Merino was Spain’s underrated hero of Euro 2024
The semi-final of Euro 2024 was one of the most competitive fixtures. Spain and Germany also faced off against each other in the semi-final.
Dani Olmo scored the opening goal for Spain. The Spanish were heading to victory before Florian Wirtz scored the equaliser for Germany just before the 90th-minute mark. The turning point was when Mikel Merino headed the ball into goal in the 119th minute.
Merino was at the right place at the right time and booked a place for his team in the finals. He judged Olmo’s cross and put the ball into goal around a helpless Manuel Neuer. Mikel played for only a few minutes in the Euros final and did not have as much impact.
Arsenal made a permanent deal to sign the 28-year-old in the summer transfer window. The deal is settled at the price of 30 million euros to bring him to the Emirates stadium. The arrival of the midfielder has gathered mixed reactions. This is because he was not the most exciting part of the summer transfer window.
The midfielder would be an essential part of Arteta’s squad and fill the gaps in Arsenal’s midfield.
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