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3 months ago
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While Arsenal seem to have set their sights on Mikel Merino to strengthen their midfield, Emmanuel Petit has expressed his doubts. The former French international believes that N’Golo Kanté would bring an extra dimension to the Gunners’ game.
In this last phase of the transfer window, Arsenal has chosen to complete the recruitment of Mikel Merino. According to information relayed by The Mirror, The London club is about to pay around 30 million euros to secure the services of the Spanish midfielder. However, this initiative is not unanimous, especially with Emmanuel Petit, 1998 English champion with the Gunners.
“I think Mikel Merino is a good replacement for him, I watched him closely at the Euros and against PSG in the Champions League last season. I can’t say if he’s a number eight or a defensive midfielder, but he would be a good problem for Mikel Arteta. Merino could adapt to the Premier League like Rodri did, but he could also struggle with the physicality,” judged the 98 world champion.
Kanté, the perfect profile
The former French defensive midfielder believes that the Emirates Stadium residents could be making a mistake by betting on Merino. According to him, Arsenal should instead turn to a player like N’Golo Kanté.
“If Arsenal want to bring in a player who will be a big competition for the midfielders, I don’t think it’s Merino or Frenkie de Jong because they are number eights first and foremost. I think Arsenal should bring N’Golo Kante back to the Premier League. I want him to play for Arsenal, he would be so important for the team in terms of rotation,” explained the Norman.
“Kante’s mind, his reading of the game and his ability to break through the opposition lines are always of high quality. He can play as a defensive midfielder and as a number eight.he added before concluding: “When you look at the Arsenal team, they are all humble, that fits Kante perfectly and Arteta would love it.”
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
