Jamie Carragher blown away by player he claimed Arsenal should never have signed (2025)

Jamie Carragher appears to have been won over by a player he previously claimed Arsenal should never have signed.

Speaking back in January, Carragher questioned Mikel Arteta’s decision to sign Mikel Merino last summer instead of bolstering his attacking options.

Arsenal spent a little over £30m to sign the Spanish midfielder from Real Sociedad and Carragher was among those to question his arrival.

‘Prioritising signing midfielder Mikel Merino ahead of another attacker last summer looks like a mistake,’ he said. ‘Merino is not a game-changer.’

Carragher’s comments seemed justified during Merino’s somewhat underwhelming first few months at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Merino has stepped up and proved to be a crucial member of Arteta’s squad following the club’s injury crisis in 2025.

Losing Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus to injury forced Arteta to play central midfielder Merino as a makeshift striker and a number of pundits were dubious of the impact he would have further up the pitch.

But Merino has popped up with regular goals and assists since adopting his new role, helping Arsenal reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and all but secure second place in the Premier League.

Discussing Merino’s form ahead of Arsenal’s victory over Ipswich Town on Sunday, ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher said on Sky Sports: ‘I just look at Merino, he’s been a revelation since he took on that striker role.

‘I know he’s deeper today, but in the last 13 games he has six goals and four assists.’

Arsenal produced a dominant display to thump Ipswich Town 4-0 on Sunday.

A Leandro Trossard brace and goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri saw Arsenal move seven points clear of third-placed Newcastle United and all but send Ipswich down.

‘Our first 35 minutes were exceptional, we scored two and could have scored more but the sending off changed the game,’ Arteta said.

‘It was an opportunity to play some players who have not played so much so a lot of positives from this afternoon.’

On delaying Liverpool’s title celebrations for at least a few more days, Arteta added: ‘All we can do is delay that moment and from our side earn the right to finish as high as possible.’

Arsenal face London rivals Crystal Palace on Wednesday night before attentions turn to a huge Champions League semi-final tie with PSG.

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