Arsenal Fans Turn on one player Despite Carabao Cup Win Over Crystal Palace
Arsenal fans expressed their frustration with one of their players following the team’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night. Despite progressing to the semi-finals, fans were unimpressed with Mikel Merino’s performance and did not hold back their criticism online.
The Carabao Cup quarter-finals kicked off midweek with several Premier League giants battling it out for a spot in the penultimate stage of the competition. Arsenal faced Crystal Palace in a thrilling contest that saw Gabriel Jesus steal the show with a sensational hat-trick. While the Brazilian’s performance ensured Arsenal secured victory, one of his teammates became the center of attention for all the wrong reasons.
Crystal Palace opened the scoring through striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, putting Arsenal under early pressure. However, Gabriel Jesus turned the game on its head, scoring three goals to give Arsenal a 3-1 lead. Despite Palace pulling one back late in the match, Arsenal managed to hold on for a hard-fought 3-2 win, much to the delight of the Emirates crowd.
While the win was cause for celebration, Mikel Merino’s display left fans unimpressed. The Spanish midfielder, who joined Arsenal in the summer for a reported fee of up to £31.6 million including add-ons, has struggled to adapt to life at the Emirates. Despite being signed with high expectations, Merino has yet to make a significant impact under manager Mikel Arteta. His performance on Wednesday only added to the growing frustration among the Arsenal faithful.
Fans took to social media to vent their disappointment with Merino, criticizing his lack of contribution and mobility on the pitch. One fan commented, “Merino moves like he’s got cement in his boots. I’ve had enough of these bouncers, give me footballers, man.” The remark highlighted the perception that the midfielder lacks the agility and dynamism needed to thrive in Arsenal’s system.
Another fan didn’t hold back, claiming, “Merino is up there for one of the most shocking Emirates-era signings ever.” This strong statement reflects the sentiment among some supporters who feel that the Spaniard has failed to live up to his transfer fee or the expectations that came with his arrival.
The criticism didn’t stop there, as another supporter wrote, “Honestly, the sight of Merino just running around doing nothing gets on my nerves.” Fans appear to be frustrated not just by his performance against Palace but by a perceived lack of effort or effectiveness throughout his time at the club.
Adding a touch of humor to the situation, one fan joked, “Mikel Arteta has had more touches than Merino tonight, and Arteta retired 12 years ago.” The comment underscores just how little influence Merino seemed to have on the game, despite being a key summer signing for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta has shown faith in the midfielder, but Merino’s inconsistent performances are beginning to test the patience of the fanbase. With the January transfer window approaching, questions are being raised about whether Arsenal will look to bring in reinforcements or give Merino more time to adapt.
While Arsenal can celebrate their progression to the Carabao Cup semi-finals, the backlash against Merino highlights a broader concern among supporters. For Arsenal to compete for silverware and maintain consistency, all players must perform to the required standard. For now, Merino has a lot to prove to justify his place in Arteta’s plans.
