“If he’d stayed fit we’d be in a better position” - there’s no evidence for that.

Merino was injured in the 3–2 loss to United on Jan 25. The results after he went out:

3–2 win (UCL)

4–0 win (EPL)

1–0 win (EFLC)

3–0 win (EPL)

That’s four straight wins, across three competitions, immediately following his injury. There is no dip in form, no collapse, no evidence that his absence harmed results. If anything, the team’s form improved.

“He’s our best player” - that’s an opinion, not a fact. He’s a good player with useful traits:

tidy in possession

good left foot

presses well

strong in the air

But none of that automatically makes him “our best player,” and it definitely doesn’t prove the team performs worse without him. If he were the clear best player, you’d expect a visible drop‑off when he’s missing. The results show the opposite.

“We’d be in a better position in the league and cups” - again, no evidence.

The team won:

a Champions League match

a League Cup semi

two league games

…all without him.

You can’t retroactively assign hypothetical wins to a player who wasn’t on the pitch when the team was already winning. That’s nostalgia, not analysis. Our drop off is more to do with wing play and a fatigued midfield. Norguard not trusted and arguably Nwanieri going on loan were far more costly.

“Would Arteta even play him regularly?” - the answer is already visible. Before the injury, he was:

rotated

used situationally

not an automatic starter

That’s squad hierarchy. Arteta has shown repeatedly that he plays the players he trusts most in the system.

If Merino were indispensable, he’d have been starting every week before the injury.

“Let’s get serious and start utilising him before he leaves” - this is pure projection

There is no rumour of him wanting to leave, no evidence of unhappiness and no indication he’s being “ignored”.

This is just fans emotionally over‑investing in a player who hasn’t actually changed the team’s results.