“Thought he was just bringing in friends,” Paul Merson reveals what he got wrong about Arteta at the start of the season 

“Thought he was just bringing in friends,” Paul Merson reveals what he got wrong about Arteta at the start of the season 

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson commended Mikel Arteta for his good transfer window activity.

Last summer, the Gunners spent more than £150 million to bolster their roster, bringing in Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Many fans and journalists, including Paul Merson, questioned the ability of the players brought in at first. 

They have, however, proven their critics wrong with their performances this season, and Merson has come out to accept his error of judgment.

Speaking on TalkSport, the 54-year-old stated:

“I like what Arteta is doing, I really do. The signings he brought in this season, everyone has been an absolute success and a half. I’ve never known a window like it. When he was bringing those players in I was thinking ‘I’m not sure about them’.

“The goalkeeper [Aaron Ramsdale] had let in more goals than anyone else in the last three years. Tomiyasu, I always think that if you are playing in Italy and no one wants you then you can’t be that great.

“Ben White, there was a thing of whether he was a centre-half or not. Was he a holding midfield player? Odegaard, did he want to go back to Real Madrid.”

Merson also reserved praise for the young players at the club for stepping up to the plate. He hailed the wonderful work Edu is doing behind the scenes as director of football:

“I think all of them have been absolutely outstanding. Then the young kids like Saka and Smith Rowe, Partey has been outstanding and Xhaka is playing well. Tierney never lets you down and Gabriel I didn’t think he could play that well.

”When you talk like that, he’s been great Arteta and so has Edu really. He took a lot of stick for giving Aubameyang all the money he did and was quite lazy by bringing in Willian. I thought he was just bringing in friends, but now fair play to him.”

After the international break, Arsenal will play a short trip to Crystal Palace to face their city rivals.

Arsenal’s squad includes a number of international regulars. During the current international break, 13 first-team players have been called up to represent their respective countries.

International breaks are every club manager’s worst nightmare, as there is a considerable risk of a number of players suffering various sorts of injuries.

Arsenal is currently vying for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

They control their own destiny as they attempt to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2016.

In light of this, Mikel Arteta will keep a close eye on his players who are currently on international duty, hoping that they will return fit to assist the club achieve their goals.

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“Thought he was just bringing in friends,” Paul Merson reveals what he got wrong about Arteta at the start of the season