‘He was quality’: Troy Deeney picks one Arsenal star in Team of the Week, says he’s ‘excellent’ | OneFootball

Arsenal started the New Year with a 3-1 comeback win over Brentford in the Premier League.

The Gunners were not at their best in the opening half at the Gtech Community Stadium, but they went into the half-time break with a 1-1 scoreline.

Mikel Arteta’s side improved their performance after the interval and put the game beyond Brentford’s sight with two more goals before the 54th minute.

Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli were the goalscorers.

Troy Deeney picked Merino in his Team of the Week after a good all-round derby showing.

The former Premier League striker said that Merino was ‘quality’. He is unsure whether the Spaniard has the talent to play for the Gunners but won’t judge him without a full pre-season.

He told BBC Sport: “He was quality. I’m not sure if he’s going to be up to the level of Arsenal but I’m going to give him until next year with a pre-season.”

“He’s neat, tidy, very fluid in the way he plays. He can go as a six, he can go as an eight, he just keeps the ball ticking over really well.

“I bet as a team-mate he’s excellent to have in your team.”

Mikel Merino started alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in midfield yesterday. He got the nod in the number eight role after Kai Havertz was absent due to illness.

The Spaniard had a passing accuracy of only 80 percent, but he was solid defensively with seven recoveries and six duels won. He also scored the all-important second goal.

The former Real Sociedad man has not had much time to adapt, having arrived after pre-season at Arsenal. The midfielder got injured in his first training session at the club.

Merino had to wait until October to make his debut, but he has proved a good signing. He has chipped in with a couple of key goals and has also caught the eye with his duel-winning skills.

He has not been at his best for the Gunners, but his defensive traits and goalscoring potential should be handy as the club aim to push Liverpool all the way for the league title this term.

Stats from Fotmob.com