Why Merino is an Arsenal CHEATCODE

He's suited to what Arteta needs...but why?
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[@jamesbibb5193]

Am I a victim of the youtube algorithim or does Laurence make Arsenal vids more than any other club ? I am an Arsenal fan so I'm not complaining.

[@Rwatcham]

Arsenal vids pull views. We are a dedicated fan base 🫡

[@marcus5977]

This channel does cover the other clubs (bar liverpool) though I would say he features Arsenal more regularly but I think he does admit that he quite likes the club, or at least has little rivalry, so that might be why. He also has a channel dedicated to Liverpool

[@Patchow]

Rory and Mark Goldbridge do the same. Arsenal vids get clicks.

[@alzer6467]

lots of content makers make Arsenal related videos because they know we're fervent, and they make money from it.

[@robertvincent7385]

I watch both his Liverpool and his arsenal videos he’s great on those.I imagine he doesn’t do too many Utd videos because of fear of backlash. I think there’s scope to do chelsea videos and he could bring Rory on

[@jordandavis3867]

I'm so glad you put Timber on the right because people think Timber is competing with Cala when he is really competing with White.

[@samjall9216]

@@jordandavis3867 You’re absolutely correct.I thought it was going to be timber on the right and cala on the left

[@isthatdave55]

I think Timber will play some minutes at CDM as well.

[@TheCofarrell]

Timber will play everywhere, he is competing with everyone

[@isthatdave55]

@@TheCofarrell Agreed, he is the personification of total football (granted there are levels to it, but Timber is very versatile)

[@00dredd]

Timber will probably play CB till saliba gets back and up to speed. Then he'll likely compete for every position outside striker 😅

[@ucheedochie3475]

While Merino is versatile, he is coming in as a left 8. Last season it was easy to see that our left hand side was the weakest. Zinchenko made mistakes and Havertz played better as striker. So we kept chopping and changing on the left and this affected the performance output of Martineli and the defensive reliability of our left hand side. So yes Merino and Calafiori will lock up up and elevate our left hand side and get Martineli firing again.

[@OscarKing_]

Incredibly insightful and well-researched breakdown, not getting nearly the plaudits this video deserves!

[@esayascohn7019]

Potentially a Gyokeres video to Arsenal may be a POSSIBILITY for my favorite analyst to make a video onnnn 😗

[@netweed09]

@@esayascohn7019 ????

[@11kgalalelo]

I am so eager to see that left side of the pitch be fully active.. again. Martinelli proves us wrong from last season's controversial performance and Mikel's questionable usage of him. The next few years with Mikel look EXCITING. I get goosebumps looking at this potential* starting XI

[@applenuts]

I don't think arteta rates martinelli that highly. That's why they was prepared to pay a lot of money for mudryk and trossard was starting at the end of last season despite martinelli being fit. If arsenal do sign sane then he's not coming just to be a back up for saka but will start ahead of martinelli on the left.

[@TYLOTYLOTYLO]

I feel so confidently about Arsenal winning the league this season. The team we’ve built is unreal and it still has levels to go and obvious weakpoints in Zinchenko and Sakas backup.

[@VeryniceFC]

Unreal 🤔 A LB who can't defend, Jesus and Tomiyasu are made of glass and Jesus is a poor goal scorer as a striker, Nketiah, Viera and Nelson are trash, an " unreal " team that hasn't won anything for 4 years and got bundled out of the CL by the weakest Bayern team in 20 years I bet you also had this chest last season and the season before We had the best defense last season, scored more goals then the Invincibles, ripped teams to shreds and still won nothing We're 1 major injury to Odegaard and Saka to capitulate last season our starting team was pretty much healthy City had KDB out 1/2 the season, Haaland 1/3 of the season and we still couldn't get it down

[@applenuts]

​@@VeryniceFCwhat a load of waffle😂 Arsenal have come within 5 points and then 2 points with the same goal difference and with a much weaker squad than city's. We have calafiori, timber being added to already the best defence in the league, merino will join and at least a winger or striker will sign. This combined with the fact arteta gets more points every single season makes it highly likely arsenal will get more points again. City haven't got above 93 points in 5 seasons. Arsenal are therefore favourites. Kdb and haaland was fit all through the 22/23 season yet they finished on 89 points compared to 91 points last season so your argument that they would do much better with them being fit all season dosent hold up. Partey was injured throughout most of last season. How would city cope with their number 6 rodri being injured for that amount of time. They'd have 10 points less😂

[@nabilsalam5822]

This is a fantastic video. Lawrence you’ve got yourself a new subscriber, keep up the great work make

[@adriandoctor9834]

I really am just putting this out there, Arteta's confidence in Zinchenko, at left back, is more hopeful than successful. He gambled with him last season and it cost us the league. If Zinni is not gonna be used in mid-field as a ball handler, he must leave the club.

[@classicdansmith]

I do feel a lot of Arsenal fans are writing off Partey as unreliable over the course of a season. A fit Partey is easily one of the best DMs in the league and he absolutely starts at DM behind Rice and Odegaard

[@CorridorJ]

But that’s the problem. He won’t stay fit. His track record speaks for itself. You are right when he is fit he is the man. But he won’t. And he’s getting older. I would say cash out to Saudi and buy someone else.

[@bna919]

All I want is for him to be fit for at least half of the games

[@whateverjustposting]

he wont stay fit and his off the field behavior is too questionable. needs to be moved on

[@marsx5886]

​@CorridorJ or we just manage his minutes with better rotational options so we don't have to overplay or overrely on him

[@Jeffery_Singh_OTP]

Bro we know Partey’s potential. But we don’t want a fit Partey that comes and get injured. We want a reliable Partey. Abd he’s not reliable.

[@Denero718]

Merino will play the 8 or in a double pivot not a lone 6. Merino is a perfect left sided 8 for Arsenal

[@Bathromeus-Shimwetheleni93]

He will play role # 6 because he is better suited to playing there than Declan Rice due to his technical ability and calmness on the ball when under pressure, also the fact tht he can beat the press,something Rice can't

[@Londonguy1987_]

I'd appreciate a video covering a few Arsenal targets like Sane and Neto. That would be cool. Just an overview of the current rumours around potential incoming and how Arsenal would implement them. Thanks.

[@TYLOTYLOTYLO]

Honestly Sane is a dream signing. Fantastic break down.

[@paulbeckwith4359]

First video of yours I've watched. Brilliant. Subscribed. Ty

[@pbwrites]

Arteta wants 2 players for every position. Currently, there is no one capable of replacing Rice at 8 if needed. Merino does that perfectly.

[@muhamadashiadawood3963]

If he really prepares Ethan to be an alternative to Odegard this will be a brilliant.

[@dova238]

Nwaneri can’t be ahead of FAB V

[@iamAkinwunmiAdebayo]

Excellent analysis Laurence! Very brilliant. I'm curious where Fabian Ruiz fits into all this. He's a top player, and if he's available like they say, then we could do with him in our ranks, can't we? When he was Napoli, I thought he'd come to Arsenal when he was leaving. Instead, he opted for PSG. We have lost three midfielders already in Elneny, ESR, and Lokonga. And we're going to lose Partey this summer or in January.

[@DangerfieldChris]

Arteta is a proven manager of seeing potential in a player other's can't, and then drawing it out of them. He's not looking to play the Merino that's for sale, rather the Merino he believes he can make him become.

[@netweed09]

That's not what makes a 'proven manager' at the top level lol. What is P0chettino then for taking a budget Spuds side to the Champions League final?? When did Our manager do that - he made Us lose vs the worst Bayern side for 20 years!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Africafactsguy]

​@netweed09 He told you exactly what arteta is proven in, but you choose not to understand just to put arteta down.

[@netweed09]

@@Africafactsguy ​ Can you even read or understand English?? I said ''that's not makes a proven manager''. Especially for a club of Our stature , We're The Arsenal not Palace or West Ham lol. And what are you on about ''Arteta down'' - what's your obsession with him?! He is an employee of Our *Club* and has not been able to cross the line past 2nd place. He is *not* the Proven One. Wenger never took 5 years to get Us a League title , it's unacceptable if you call yourself a true Arsenal fan.

[@alloco_chaud]

​@@netweed09Says the guy who reads not to understand but to respond with nonsense. He said Arteta has proven that he can draw potential out of a player. Here you go babbling about Arteta is not a proven manager. Which has nothing to do with what the guy is saying in the 1st place. Also Arteta is not proven manager By whos definition? Your KZbin soccer expert credentials? 😂 I'm a huge Wenger fan but he wasn't competing in a league of top 6 and a oil funded juggernaut. Take out city and arsenal would've run away with the league twice in a row. Use critical thinking. Stan Kroenke the man is putting his money and trust in Arteta. If you're not happy go support Chelsea. They like impatience and quick sackings over there.

[@netweed09]

@@alloco_chaud Oh look , the "go support wildly Successful club X" rage quit settings 'comeback' , to an actual Arsenal fan that _demands_ Success. From a so-called "Arsenal fan" who cannot see past supporting Arteta's back side. Make it make sense lol. Kids like you are just funny how you got nothing to do with their time beyond the defensive essays. Go and take your boring tears outside and catch sun sunlight down the Lane.

[@---hz4du]

Rice 6, Merino LCM. Need his angle bias to improve the dynamics of the LHS.

[@35shak]

I also think that is what your manager will do. Merino passes forward, dribbles better and is great in the air. So your attack will then have two aerial threats (him and Havertz) in the opposition box during the attacking phase.

[@---hz4du]

@@35shak His half space crossing is also elite due to him being left footed. Wish we got a dominant striker who could attack the back post a bit better than Kai but it will have to do for now. Just a really solid player all around and doesnt block the pathway of Nwaneri who we have seen being deployed at LCM in pre-season.

[@35shak]

@@---hz4du I would have liked to see Osimhen in your team, because I don’t want Madrid to dominate Europe. But I think having Osimhen and Merino in the opposition both would be aerially ruthless. You’re right, Havertz is too docile most times, it’s like he forgets that he’s bigger than most players.

[@kholwanimazizaba2155]

Rice as a 6.. what are you smoking there?🤷🏽‍♂️ .. 6 points was donated to Aston Villa with that dead log there.. even resigned Southgate.. Rice as a 6 .. delusional ..mxm

[@---hz4du]

@@kholwanimazizaba2155 You want Merino as the 6 instead?

[@evransev]

at 1:10 what do you mean “possibly a new goalkeeper next season” we just signed Raya permanently…

[@brucenozaza3903]

Hi Laurence love your work. I’d love your input on how Victor Osimhen would improve Arsenal’s box efficiency. I’ve identified a few scenarios where I feel he would take us to another level. Cut backs Crosses Rebounds Penalties Pace in behind Pressing defenders into mistakes If he scores 5 goals from each of these scenarios that’s 30 goals.

[@gabrieldesire9873]

If Jorginho and Partey play as 6 and Rice and Merino as 8 that would help Marinelli and Odegaard more in terms of rotation and control

[@kamaukamau7460]

How so?

[@slyjames5993]

Stan Kronke: So what are your tactical plans for Arsenal? Arteta: Yes.

[@laurencemckenna]

😂

[@netweed09]

@@slyjames5993 Come 2nd all the time and have Our "fans" cry "115🤓"

[@swrdecart]

Excellent breakdown!

[@Bukaayofan]

I think rice will play as a 6 dropping to a centre back while calafiori goes to the midfield

[@samjall9216]

OMG the hair is a lot better

[@Jupitersonlyson]

Hell naaa😂

[@FrankieCini779]

Wrong.

[@kunimitsune177]

Not really

[@Africafactsguy]

He had more personality with the old one.

[@FrankieCini779]

@@Africafactsguy Don't talk shit about my mate Laurence.

[@sathyantinku9177]

It's a hell of a start. Could be made into a monster, if we pull together as a team.

[@steve-t4i]

Keep up the great vids loz :)

[@saint_iri]

@8:02 A box of rice?😅

[@laurencemckenna]

😂

[@dylancadwallader5622]

Lawrence is a 10/10 guy great person great ball knowledge genius overall deserves more subs

[@funisanartform]

Merino and Fabio Vieira as 6s?! Bruh. Would you put Odegaard at 6? Practically the same idea. Fabio''s a 10 and Merino's an 8. Look at Fabio's build alone. If he's our 6 we're getting destroyed. Rice is the main 6 for Arsenal now. A Merino signing would confirm this.

[@tonylam4549]

Where's Jorginho?

[@funisanartform]

@@tonylam4549 On the bench. He was signed to be a reliable 3rd choice DM in the first place. Hopefully we sign Fofana to replace Partey since his legs are gones.

[@Amberle38]

Think Lawrence might be getting him confused with Patrick Vieira 😂

[@priceactionpmlani265]

Great video breakdown, thank you Liked, Subscribed and commented

[@tilikistephen1624]

Great video 👍

[@ps5andstuffhere]

You said merino has not got better distribution as Rice? What. He obviously has. Rice can't pass through the lines. That's why Arteta moved him to 8

[@snaggiz]

It’s a great stop gap signing. He’s a good player at a good age but doesn’t block future progression for any younger midfielders. I think Arsenal are seeing the current market as a bit lackluster in terms of options. There are almost no “slam dunk” signings out there. But you add Calafiori, Merino and say Gyökeres, then you’ve added a lot of physicality, power and rotational options to an already good squad. It might be enough to push Arsenal over the line given how tight the margins were last season, but if not, then it gives us a great platform to build on for future seasons regardless.

[@ario9888]

missed the tactics board

[@almondsartdiary8701]

where did Kiwior go here in 1:04 ? Is he really going to transfer? I would love to see Arteta and Edu push their budget and buy Nico Williams rather than sane. I do not think arsenal will sign a striker this summer, based on the players on the market right now.

[@boredraw]

great vid laurence

[@palico004]

Great video

[@TheJerseytony]

thanks see the plan a lot clearer now

[@coyotes51]

Dat shirt doe?!? Clap❤

[@dreday3303]

@laurencemckenna what is the shirt about? Basketball?

[@mathetes24]

Honestly, I would love to see Arteta experiment with Zinny as an 8 with Cala covering the defensive role.

[@kunimitsune177]

🤦🏻‍♂️

[@SuperDubet]

😮

[@lozerisdead999]

Brother we say all this about arsenal’s adaptability but bottom line man there’s gonna be games where tactically we are matched and we just need a goal. So far we still don’t have a solid Goal Scorer to rely on and we’re still putting too much on Saka and Martinelli. We need other options. I think Arsenal should absolutely go all out for Williams, but i doubt we’ll see it happen

[@manoszervas9613]

What if we sign Gyökeres?

[@twobrosesgaming]

I love your analysis Loz good vid man

[@twobrosesgaming]

Also lmao I just saw your shirt 😂

[@jamesm4996]

I think the 6 will be partey/rice/georginho. the left 8 will be rice/merino. the right wing will be saka/jesus/viera. Merino will be left 8 and not a 6. Great video btw :)

[@TheOgapatapata]

Agree

[@tnt277]

In: Sane and Gyokeres Out: Nelson, Nketiah Then we can talk about winning a title because Jesus is not reliable at all - Nketiah leaving feels like a trigger for a new striker

[@silasezeugwu4552]

Get Merino for cheap 25m, but F Ruiz if available instead. There's a reason hwr starts over Merino. Then Gyokeres or Osimhen, and Eze, and the team is set for EPL

[@TYLOTYLOTYLO]

Saliba is number 2 Gabriel 6 White 4

[@carlroberts9347]

Would love a Sane video ❤

[@fixingfootballpodcast]

Enjoyed this take. Great video 👍

[@RasenRendanX]

Hope you make a Chelsea osimhem video soon 👀

[@laurencemckenna]

Oh man, I hope not for his sake!

[@Qlicky]

@@laurencemckenna LOL

[@yf9409]

Do a Sane video

[@billrose2202]

Nice hair cut mate. No more flowing locks

[@laurencemckenna]

Thanks 👍

[@DavWalker-zu6hh]

Get the frying pan 😂

[@laurencemckenna]

Old skool

[@CactusClai]

Arsenal must add to the team that can beat that mid block. Arsenal was twice outplayed by Aston Villa last season where i believe they lost the title especially in the home leg. Emery set up 5 in the middle and countered Arsenal through the middle with fast players like Watkins. Arsenal struggled against Porto and Fulham too in the season. Adding a central striker like Gyokeres can be a game changer. Even though Havertz has done an outstanding job as a false 9. A traditional 9 is what wins you those hard games.

[@dollybird98]

Merino is no replacement for Partey, this is a bit ridiculous

[@lukootohenry5279]

I can see a selection dilemma

[@Hideydo]

We still need a prolific striker

[@djsambwoy2458]

i think mike the coach will pray 3 4 3

[@RoryObrien-vc2pf]

Wondered where this guy went!

[@laurencemckenna]

Merino has always been around!

[@ices5513]

Merino Rice odegaard. This is Arsenal midfield for this season

[@theach84]

Not really maybe for some games. Rice Partey Odegard is still our best especially for top 6 games. We did brilliant against top 6 w this trio. I suspect partey will be more fit this season. After taking the whole year off last year, he usually is more fit the season after. Similar to the season he played 33 of 38 games.

[@tonylam4549]

Where's Jorginho?

[@pierre3903]

bro you got Rice/Partey as no8 and Viera/Merino in 6

[@runningman5871]

Yeah, a Sane video would be great

[@joegugg4129]

If you are not trying you are not cheating according to Arteta

[@fgtrhwu2]

Is Merino better than Gallagher?

[@binderbaker3238]

Arteta should play 3232 saliba gabria l calfiore marino rice Saka Odigard Martinlle Havartz Jesus Buy a strike, a RW and and stright

[@cm1545a]

That shirt....👍👍

[@Charlie-wise]

Too much players of same quality in the same position will cause Mikel to over tinker on the right formation to go with in games and this might cause arsenal some games

[@laurencemckenna]

I get that’s a worry!

[@holahovito11]

Sane has no end product.

[@Kitofthearts]

Sane ! 🎉

[@VeryniceFC]

Merino pass rate is pretty poor and he's slow he's not amazing as some people who never watch Sociedad think, he's a good squad player though

[@laurencemckenna]

He also tries to make hard passes a lot of the time though.

[@felixoptikqualla1550]

i think calafiori and merino give Arsenal so much. Cause with Morino they can deploy a double pivot in the central midfild. Ben White and Calafiori then would act like normal wing backs. But with Calafiori/White tucking in Merino as a great passer or Rice as a great ball carrier can push up. This gives so many opportunities for the build up. No team can know whats happening. I see it as a true wappan. One word to rice. He is not the passer like Jorginho. But it was his first season with the gunners. He developped so much in this year. He has the mind and skillset to become a really decent builtup player. Give him little more trust in this reagard. He needs to improve but he also will do!

[@petediggens7883]

Gyokeres in means jesus can be saka cover and that is jesus best position

[@kwesifelixboafo5333]

Why will u play Rice ahead of Partey😂? Square passer Rice

[@stevet9418]

Don’t forget Jorginho

[@innercircle341]

Rice at the level of Bellingham? No son. Rice is good at a few things in a limited skill set. Jude is 5 years younger and already >>>>>>> Rice

[@musondamusonda1205]

I kniw you dont mean 115 cheat codes

[@laurencemckenna]

👀

[@alexhaynes7220]

Who is he and is he good

[@robertvincent7385]

I’d love a sane and a gyokores video if you could

[@oshanepalmer]

Don’t we need a striker?

[@laurencemckenna]

Probably do

[@calebcihuarulam7599]

Keep Sane very far away from my club.

[@cpfyp3548]

Arteta making CHEATCODE? Bottler will always be bottler. Thrust the Arseanal.

[@marsyas73]

What the fuck is an "off season"?

[@laurencemckenna]

The time between the seasons…

[@avalanche816]

New to football?? You'll get the hang of it.

[@kunimitsune177]

Innit. Fucking yankisms are inescapable.

[@kunimitsune177]

@avalanche816 You must one the new one. Or foreign. Never once heard it called that in decades until the rise of the yank plastic in the internet era.

[@marsyas73]

The irony! I checked it out & "off season" is nonsense imported from American sports. Well, have at it. The games already well on the way to being transformed into another bullshit American sport with VAR. May as well mutate the lexicon as well.

[@bruhidkwho]

can someone help with which app or website he used for this?

[@gus439]

this stupid idea that rice isn't a six is ridiculous he played there his entire career and now that England lost suddenly he can't play there

[@laurencemckenna]

I don’t think anyone questions Rice being a 6, they just see him as better down field.

[@kunimitsune177]

*UP field But yes.

[@angeloghenefuafo]

If Thomas is fit to play, I see Merino coming on late in games to replace him and Declan moving deeper, but he will definitely start certain games for arsenal. Oh and Kiwior is still here so he backs Gabriel up.

[@TYLOTYLOTYLO]

I think Ruiz would be better. But honestly i’ll take wither

[@Shhhhhhhhhjj]

He an Arsenal fan now???

[@mandayashraf6580]

So chido joined man united. What a shame

[@invisiblefriendmrj]

Nice haircut Lawrence.

[@raine_man_7984]

Eh

[@mowzeyradio5048]

Sorry vieira can't play there in dm

[@laurencemckenna]

Yeah, he’s just a sub name. Not a suggestion.

[@MrPhunrap]

Fabio V in DM? Really?

[@laurencemckenna]

No, he’s just a sub name.

[@tekkn_579]

He’s press resistant as well, Lawrence.

[@ject-6817]

yep keep overrating him for bait

[@irikefeakpobi2438]

KEEP SPECULATING FOR A CLUELESS MANAGER IF ALL THE SIGNINGS CANT WIN ANYTHING...IT ALL GOES DOWN TO WHAT ARETETA AND EDU HAVE UPSTAIRS. HE NEEDS A CF AND NOT GYCOKERES AN EZE AND AN EXTRA WINGER TO BENCH SAKA AND GET ANY MIDFIELDER HE WANTS. ANYTHING SHORT OF THIS IS ANOTHER FAILED SEASON

[@yonnitdk9023]

no bro we dont want sane he wont come hhhhh

[@henryeweama2270]

Do the "Sane" video 😊