One thing that has mystified me since January

[Chief Arrowhead]

is that there has been absolutely no discussion, besides Ganpati to my recollection, at all about how we miss Mikel Merino.

He has proven that he is a steady and calming influence on the pitch, which we have sorely needed. He's 29 so has the influence that only a seasoned veteran can have. He is also quite versatile. Just thinking about it, Arteta could have plugged him in as a #9, attacking midfield or even as a defensive midfielder. there is no doubt in my mind that his abilities would have been vital when we 'wobbled'. Rather oddly, when our injuries are listed he never gets a mention? It's almost like we sold him in the January window.

[Peter]

is that there has been absolutely no discussion, besides Ganpati to my recollection, at all about how we miss Mikel Merino.

He has proven that he is a steady and calming influence on the pitch, which we have sorely needed. He's 29 so has the influence that only a seasoned veteran can have. He is also quite versatile. Just thinking about it, Arteta could have plugged him in as a #9, attacking midfield or even as a defensive midfielder. there is no doubt in my mind that his abilities would have been vital when we 'wobbled'. Rather oddly, when our injuries are listed he never gets a mention? It's almost like we sold him in the January window.

Fair point. I guess we just forgot about him because we know he is gone for the season, almost certainly.

[Chief Arrowhead]

Fair point. I guess we just forgot about him because we know he is gone for the season, almost certainly.

RIch mentioned Merino in his response to your 'problem' thread. Chapeau.

[Peter]

RIch mentioned Merino in his response to your 'problem' thread. Chapeau.

Then what are you moaning about?

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

is that there has been absolutely no discussion, besides Ganpati to my recollection, at all about how we miss Mikel Merino.

He has proven that he is a steady and calming influence on the pitch, which we have sorely needed. He's 29 so has the influence that only a seasoned veteran can have. He is also quite versatile. Just thinking about it, Arteta could have plugged him in as a #9, attacking midfield or even as a defensive midfielder. there is no doubt in my mind that his abilities would have been vital when we 'wobbled'. Rather oddly, when our injuries are listed he never gets a mention? It's almost like we sold him in the January window.

Thank you. When Zubi was wobbling and we were lacking creativity, we could have played him with Dec. And as you say, in those games where Vik never touched the ball, him as a false 9 has been shown to work.