Arsenal haven’t had an easy season by any means, but they are still performing magnificently.
The Gunners are currently top of the Premier League table, finished the Champions League’s league phase higher than any other club, made it into the final of the Carabao Cup and breezed through to the next round of the FA Cup.
Mikel Arteta deserves enormous credit for the work he has done, but injuries have made things very difficult for him.
Mikel Merino is the latest player to get injured, which, according to Martin Zubimendi, is a humongous blow.
Which is Mikel Merino’s best position at Arsenal?
Martin Zubimendi says Mikel Merino’s injury has caused significant damage to Arsenal
Mikel Merino’s importance to Arsenal is often understated.
The Spain international has filled in multiple roles for the Gunners, and he has come up with some excellent performances in all of those positions.
Even this season, the 29-year-old had directly contributed to nine goals in all competitions before he got injured.
Merino may not play again this season and could even miss the World Cup, which is a massive blow for both Arsenal and the Spanish national team.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Zubimendi has known Merino for a long time, and he knows how important he is. That is why he has described the former Newcastle man’s absence as a problem.
He told Cadena Ser: “Well, he’s in pain, but he’s a very professional person who takes care of himself and always thinks about what’s best for the club.
“I know he’s the one who’s most hurt, but the damage his injury has done to the club is significant.”
READ MORE: Mikel Merino breaks silence after injury rules him out for Arsenal’s title run-in
Agree or disagree: Myles Lewis-Skelly should get chances in midfield after Mikel Merino’s injury
Credit: Getty Images/Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC Mikel Arteta needs to be very careful with his midfield at Arsenal
Arsenal have a bit of a problem with their midfield following Merino’s injury.
The Gunners have lost a player who can fill in all three positions in the middle of the park, and that increases the burden on the rest.
There will surely be some hesitation about giving the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi a break, but Arteta needs to trust the rest of his squad.
Christian Norgaard deserves more minutes, while Myles Lewis-Skelly should also be given opportunities in the middle of the park.
If Arteta doesn’t carefully manage Rice and Zubimendi’s minutes and one of them gets injured, Arsenal will be in deep trouble in the business end of the season.
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