Arsenal won physical battle in that last meeting and the add Merino.
Who only appeared as a substitute that night, would enhance an already significant edge.
The Spain international was signed in part for his duel-winning prowess and it has shone through since his arrival in England. Merino wins more duels and more aerials than any other Arsenal player.
The midfield reshuffle required in Partey’s absence will likely see Rice moved from No 8 to No 6, giving him less opportunity to make the marauding runs which have become a feature of Arsenal’s play. But Merino, although not as quick, brings even more energy to the role.
Premier League tracking data shows he covers more ground than any other Arsenal player at 12.17km per 90 minutes. It is roughly a kilometre more than Rice, putting him top among team-mates and in the top 10 among all Premier League players.
His physicality could be invaluable in the คาสิโนออนไลน์ UFABET ฝากถอนรวดเร็ว เริ่มต้นเล่นง่าย opposition box as well as in the midfield battle. Set-pieces, an area of formidable strength for Arsenal, are one of weakness for Paris Saint-Germain, whose total of 15 goals conceded from dead-ball situations is the 12th-highest in Europe’s major leagues.
Merino might be Arsenal’s best hope of capitalising. His total of 2.95 expected goals from set-pieces is the third-highest in the Premier League, behind only those of his injured Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes and Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.