Wayne Rooney has mentioned an Arsenal star whom he thinks this season is this season 'not respected', despite his positional versatility during the injury crisis of the Gunners this season.
The side of Mikel Arteta has suffered a stunning number of injuries in the 2024-25 campaign, many long-term issues, especially for important attacking players.
Injuries to Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus have worn out the gunners in advance, which did not do them well in their uphill climb to prevent Liverpool from winning the Premier League title.
An important obstacle for the success of Arsenal was their matte goals core record, in the light of these injuries. The Noord -London club scored 63 goals in the competition this season, 17 less than Liverpool, and less than Newcastle (65) and Manchester City (66).
In the midst of Arsenal's injury – in the front, Arteta Midfielder Mikel Merino has used as an improvised striker for many games – and the Spaniard has certainly kept his own, with 10 target contributions in his last 13 outings.
But Rooney does not believe that Merino has been given the honor he deserves for his efforts, who helped Arsenal to reach the semi -final of the Champions League, where they are confronted with PSG.
“He has been fantastic, there might have been a lack of respect,” Rooney told the Ligue 1 champions on Tuesday for the collision of Arsenal.
'He stepped into the role of No 9, I know how difficult it is to go from No. 8 or not 10 to no. 9, and it is a real change in mindset. He has been incredible and has some really important goals.
'His finish was great, but you show the steps and the midfield player in him, it is important that you have Saka and Martinelli who make the runs. He has really been performed and his movement has been really good.
“You have to be more clinical if no. 9, more patiently, link the game, play a lot with your back to goal.”
Merino explained last month that his transition to playing as a striker – has spent the majority of his career as a central midfielder – was 'crazy'.
He said: 'It's a bit crazy, to be honest, but at the same time it is about having the right mentality, the right approach to the game.
'If the coach tells you to play one position, you have to take all your characteristics and put them on the table for the team.
“I try to adjust. I try to do things in the best possible way and of course some days will be better, some days will be worse – but the work is every day, the grinding. '