Mikel Merino: “Hahahaha Kill me,” “Had enough” - Arsenal fans unhappy with 29-year-old star being in starting line-up to face Tottenham

Arsenal fans on X are unhappy with manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to name Mikel Merino as a starter for their Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur. The two sides are set to face off at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, November 23.

Arteta made just one change to his starting XI that drew 2-2 with Sunderland in their last outing. David Raya retained his position in goal, while Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori took their usual spots as full-backs.

Piero Hincapie was handed his first Premier League start, partnering with William Sailiba at the heart of the Gunners’ defense. Hincapie comes in for Gabriel Magalhaes, who picked up an injury during the international break.

Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, and Declan Rice will play in midfield, while Bukayo Saka, Leandro, and Mikel Merino will lead the attack. Merino has been deployed in the number 9 position in place of Viktor Gyökeres, who has been sidelined with a muscular injury suffered during their 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday, November 1.

The decision to start Merino, however, didn’t sit well with a lot of Gunners supporters, as they took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, with one writing:

“This Merino guy. God may he disappoint me today with good performance. Amen”

Another expressed concern with the meddler’s inclusion, tweeting:

“Merino Godddd!”

A third exclaimed:

“MERINO LEADS THE LINE HAHAHAHA KILL ME.”

“Was hoping to see Martinelli 9 but Arteta is the manager and he knows the best possible XI,” a fan chimed in.

“Merino ST💔,” another added.

A sixth wrote:

“Had enough of seeing Mikel Merino upfront for this team.”

“We’ve found a really good balance” – Mikel Arteta on why Arsenal have been so good against Spurs in recent seasons

Sunday’s game between Arsenal and Tottenham will mark the 198th meeting between both sides in the north London derby across competitions. Apart from the fact that the Gunners have edged the rivalry, north London has been red ever since Spurs’ home victory against Arteta’s side in 2022. The Gunners have won each of their last five competitive games against Spurs since then.

Explaining why Arsenal have had the upper hand in recent seasons, Arteta said in a press conference on Friday:

“Yes, that emotion requires something else, and you cannot be too high, but, at the same time, that game demands that in every ball and every action, you have to be at it a bit more than in any other game. We have found a really good balance. We played well, some days we have won, some days we've been a bit lucky as well, which is fair to say. So on Sunday, we need a really, really good performance to beat them.”

Heading into the contest, Spurs are the only side still unbeaten away from home in the Premier League this season. However, they’ve won just one of their last 32 Premier League away games against Arsenal.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide