Mikel Merino isn’t the problem at Arsenal and he’s becoming an easy scapegoat

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Arsenal fans have certainly voiced their displeasure since the club exited the FA Cup at the hands of 10-man Manchester United on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta deployed an Arsenal side without Declan Rice, who was seemingly being rested for the upcoming North London Derby.

In his place, Mikel Merino started alongside Jorginho and Martin Odegaard in midfield, playing as Arteta’s left-sided number eight.

Since his arrival in the summer, Merino has already proved as a polarising figure in north London, a player who fans have had strong opinions about.

Put bluntly, Merino has been criticised in N5 for being slow on the ball and often a step behind his teammates, something that was somewhat evident against Man United.

However, it’s wrong to solely blame Merino for these issues.

Arsenal fans are misdirecting their frustration towards Mikel Merino

Back in the summer, someone with very little knowledge of Arsenal Football Club could have concluded that Arteta simply needed to sign a striker.

Instead, Arteta and Edu Gaspar welcomed Riccardo Calafiori and Merino in permanent deals, two strong acquisitions for the club in their own right.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans have a lot to say about Raheem Sterling after his Man United display

However, they weren’t the profiles that Arsenal needed most.

Signing the likes of Calafiori and Merino would have been opportune in the summer of 2025 – Arsenal needed a striker six months ago.

Now, Merino in particular is being criticised because he’s not proving as an upgrade on any of Arteta’s current options in the middle.

And in truth, the Spaniard was signed simply as a strong squad player, someone to add depth to the options available.

He’s being unfairly judged only 21 games into his Arsenal career, a 28-year-old who is playing a top, top club for the first time.

Alexander Isak would get the best from Mikel Merino at Arsenal

Arsenal’s issues have predominantly been caused by an untimely injury crisis, and beyond that, the club’s current problems in front of goal are because of poor decision making in the transfer market.

In fairness to Merino, he provided a brilliant chance for Kai Havertz to score against United, a chance the German sent high and wide.

READ MORE: Mikel Merino’s goal celebration explained including why Arsenal star circles corner flag

Had that gone in, the Spaniard might be revered as a hero rather than a problem, such are the fine margins.

Merino’s apparent lethargy on the ball wouldn’t be an issue were Arsenal winning, and it certainly didn’t cause any problems for Spain at the Euros.

The former Newcastle United player has underwhelmed in elements at the Emirates Stadium, but he doesn’t deserve to be the headline flop in the fallout from the United defeat.

Give Merino time, and he’ll show what he can offer at Arsenal.

Put Alexander Isak in front of him, and things will suddenly look even more rosy.