Merino out for a while then.

[redgunamo]

"2-3 weeks" probably, so he'll be lucky to make the World Cup

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

"2-3 weeks" probably, so he'll be lucky to make the World Cup

Needs surgery so might not play again this season. Which is not what we need.

And just 2-3 days after I said how lucky we are to have him.

I guess if Zubi or Dec are out we have Norgy. I also think that Odin dropping deep could play there with Kai or Easy in the ten role.

Thank Ganpati we have all 3 strikers fit, cos he's been fine there.

MLS as a sneaky DM, gentlemen?

In a double pivot aided by an inverting FB?

But mostly I feel sorry for MnM. He's played 33 times this season. But wouldn't you like to see him available to come on to see out a CL knock-out game if all are fit?

I just really like MnM. His attitude, what he did as our CF last year {and a few games this season.} The NUFC equaliser etc.

A very MA player. Not stroppy or arrogant. No longer a starter as he was in Spain, but has become one for the national side cos he's learned to score goals like Gerrard or Lampard did while still doing the MF work.

I just like him and he didn't deserve this. Let's win his some medals this year, and if he can come back for the final 2-3 weeks and make a difference, then that's the cherry on top.

[Peter]

Needs surgery so might not play again this season. Which is not what we need.

And just 2-3 days after I said how lucky we are to have him.

I guess if Zubi or Dec are out we have Norgy. I also think that Odin dropping deep could play there with Kai or Easy in the ten role.

Thank Ganpati we have all 3 strikers fit, cos he's been fine there.

MLS as a sneaky DM, gentlemen?

In a double pivot aided by an inverting FB?

But mostly I feel sorry for MnM. He's played 33 times this season. But wouldn't you like to see him available to come on to see out a CL knock-out game if all are fit?

I just really like MnM. His attitude, what he did as our CF last year {and a few games this season.} The NUFC equaliser etc.

A very MA player. Not stroppy or arrogant. No longer a starter as he was in Spain, but has become one for the national side cos he's learned to score goals like Gerrard or Lampard did while still doing the MF work.

I just like him and he didn't deserve this. Let's win his some medals this year, and if he can come back for the final 2-3 weeks and make a difference, then that's the cherry on top.

That is a real problem. Now Declan Rice is going to have to play pretty much every game and if he gets injured, we are in a bit of trouble.....

[WES]

That is a real problem. Now Declan Rice is going to have to play pretty much every game and if he gets injured, we are in a bit of trouble.....

That is a real problem? We have almost our entire squad fit, the deepest squad in the league, and losing a midfielder who is rarely in our first 11 is a real problem? I've come to the conclusion that to you anything other than a fully fit squad is a real problem.

Get a hold of yourself, Pedro. City will lose at Liverpool, Bournemouth will get a point against Villa and we will beat Sunderland comfortably.

A 9 point lead by the end of next weekend

[7sisters]

That is a real problem? We have almost our entire squad fit, the deepest squad in the league, and losing a midfielder who is rarely in our first 11 is a real problem? I've come to the conclusion that to you anything other than a fully fit squad is a real problem.

Get a hold of yourself, Pedro. City will lose at Liverpool, Bournemouth will get a point against Villa and we will beat Sunderland comfortably.

A 9 point lead by the end of next weekend

I?m going with you here, W. I fully expect the resurgent Scousers to soundly batter those cheating barstuards next weekend.
To think they thought buying in two pivotal players in the window would piss on our chips.
Kyunts

[Peter]

That is a real problem? We have almost our entire squad fit, the deepest squad in the league, and losing a midfielder who is rarely in our first 11 is a real problem? I've come to the conclusion that to you anything other than a fully fit squad is a real problem.

Get a hold of yourself, Pedro. City will lose at Liverpool, Bournemouth will get a point against Villa and we will beat Sunderland comfortably.

A 9 point lead by the end of next weekend

If Merino is out for 2-3 weeks, no problem at all.

If he is out for the season, it is a big problem. We have a lot of games in four competitions, no other natural cover in the role and the load on Rice is too big. If Rice gets injured, surely we can all agree that is going to be a problem......

[WES]

If Merino is out for 2-3 weeks, no problem at all.

If he is out for the season, it is a big problem. We have a lot of games in four competitions, no other natural cover in the role and the load on Rice is too big. If Rice gets injured, surely we can all agree that is going to be a problem......

Zubi could easily replace Rice with Norgaard replacing Zubi. Alternatively one of our attack minded defenders could play there, or he could be more attacking and play Havertz with Ode

Lots of options with our squad depth

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

If Merino is out for 2-3 weeks, no problem at all.

If he is out for the season, it is a big problem. We have a lot of games in four competitions, no other natural cover in the role and the load on Rice is too big. If Rice gets injured, surely we can all agree that is going to be a problem......

MLS is we have Zubi alongside him, anyone? Worth trying against a weaker team like Wigan in the cup, perhaps? He can tackle, read the game, turn in tight spaces, drive forward, pass, cross, assist and score while he could play the DM or DM/box-2-box roles.

Obv, it's better to start with the experienced Norgy, but if we get 2-3 up, I'd try him there for 20-30 mins.

He doesn't have Dec or MnM's height, but Kai could help if playing in MF.

That drive and pass to Gabby for his first time finish earlier this season. Perfection.

[Peter]

MLS is we have Zubi alongside him, anyone? Worth trying against a weaker team like Wigan in the cup, perhaps? He can tackle, read the game, turn in tight spaces, drive forward, pass, cross, assist and score while he could play the DM or DM/box-2-box roles.

Obv, it's better to start with the experienced Norgy, but if we get 2-3 up, I'd try him there for 20-30 mins.

He doesn't have Dec or MnM's height, but Kai could help if playing in MF.

That drive and pass to Gabby for his first time finish earlier this season. Perfection.

See, you think that. And I probably agree with you. But I am not sure that the Boss thinks that. Which means he wont try it.

[Peter]

Zubi could easily replace Rice with Norgaard replacing Zubi. Alternatively one of our attack minded defenders could play there, or he could be more attacking and play Havertz with Ode

Lots of options with our squad depth

All of those options change the balance of the midfield. In Arteta's view (and mine) they represent a gamble. Possibly appropriate for some games, but almost all of the time he will try and avoid it. So he will play Rice.

Aside from that, Merino has proved to be of huge value in a number of roles and we would miss him if he is out for a long time. If we only had the title to worry about it would be ok. But we have a real chance in four competitions here, and that is a lot of games.

Basically, I am hoping it isn't too bad and he is back in a month.