Mikel Arteta singles out midfielder for praise after Liverpool display | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says Mikel Merino’s performance was one of the positives to take from Arsenal’s draw with Liverpool on Sunday.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

For the most part, Arsenal players, staff, and fans were left disappointed by Sunday’s draw against Liverpool.

The Gunners were by far the better team in the first half, and they had the lead at the half-time break. But their performance levels dipped in the second period, and two injuries and a late equaliser made it a frustrating evening.

Looking at the positives, however, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta pointed to the performance of summer signing Mikel Merino, who scored the hosts’ second goal of the contest.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Merino of Arsenal scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“[We had] some positives like Mikel for example hasn’t played 90 minutes for five months probably since the Euros,” Arteta said, adding in another interview:

“I think he was very positive. You can tell that he’s getting into the rhythm, understanding what he has and in a big game like that, he stood up. We had some big performances today.”

As well as scoring a well-placed header, Merino made three tackles and an interception to help break up Liverpool’s possession.

There was one nervous moment where he miscontrolled a pass, allowing Mohamed Salah to take a shot from distance. But that was early on, and the midfielder definitely improved after that.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

As Arteta highlights, this was Merino’s first 90-minute match since June, when he played the full game as Spain beat Albania at Euro 2024.

With any luck, the 28-year-old will be able to find his rhythm now, bolstered by the return of new midfield teammate Martin Odegaard in the coming weeks.