Arsenal fans voiced their frustration with one player despite the team’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.
While the win secured Arsenal a place in the semi-finals, much of the post-match discussion was dominated by criticism of midfielder Mikel Merino’s performance.
The quarter-final clash was an intense encounter, with Premier League sides battling fiercely for a spot in the tournament’s final four.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus was the standout player of the night, delivering a spectacular hat-trick that turned the tide in favor of the Gunners.
His contribution was crucial as Arsenal overcame a challenging start to the match.
Crystal Palace opened the scoring with a goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta, putting the home team under early pressure.
However, Gabriel Jesus responded with three well-taken goals, giving Arsenal a commanding 3-1 lead.
A late goal from Palace made for a nervy finish, but Arsenal held firm to seal their place in the next round, much to the delight of fans at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite the team’s success, Mikel Merino found himself under heavy scrutiny from supporters.
The Spanish midfielder, signed for £31.6 million in the summer, has struggled to live up to expectations, and his performance against Palace did little to change that perception.
Fans were quick to express their disappointment on social media, criticizing Merino’s lack of impact and sluggish movement on the field.
One supporter commented, “Merino moves like he’s wearing concrete boots. We need real footballers, not liabilities.”
Another described him as “one of the most disappointing signings of the Emirates era,” reflecting the growing dissatisfaction with his contributions.
Some fans took a humorous approach, with one remarking, “Arteta had more touches tonight than Merino, and he retired over a decade ago.”
Such comments underscored the belief among many fans that Merino is failing to influence games effectively, leading to calls for changes in the midfield.
Despite the criticism, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has continued to back Merino, suggesting the midfielder might still need time to adjust to his new surroundings.
However, patience among the fanbase appears to be wearing thin.
With the January transfer window on the horizon, speculation is mounting about whether Arsenal will look to strengthen their midfield or persist with Merino as part of the squad.
While Arsenal’s progress to the Carabao Cup semi-finals is a noteworthy accomplishment, the backlash against Merino highlights broader concerns about squad depth and consistency.
To compete for trophies and maintain strong performances, every player will need to deliver their best.
For Merino, the pressure is now on to prove his worth and secure his place in Arteta’s plans moving forward.
