- Jamie Carragher has labelled an Arsenal star as an ‘absolute revelation’
- The player in question was signed by the Gunners last summer for £33million
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Chris Sutton explains why Trent Alexander-Arnold might be better off staying at Liverpool
Jamie Carragher has labelled an Arsenal star as an ‘absolute revelation’ following his upturn in performances in the second half of the campaign.
The player in question was signed by the Gunners last summer for a fee of £33million in a move that raised eyebrows from some quarters.
He had struggled for consistency following a move from LaLiga side Real Sociedad – failing to make an instant impact.
This was due to Mikel Arteta opting not to sign a striker in a move that cost him dearly in the Premier League title race following injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.
However, he has enjoyed a much better second half of the campaign since being deployed as an auxiliary striker in their absences.
His improved showings on the pitch saw him compared to Havertz by Carragher ahead of Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
Jamie Carragher has praised an Arsenal star for being an ‘absolute revelation’
The former Liverpool defender admits he thought the Gunners had ‘bought the wrong type of player’
The former Liverpool defender singled out Mikel Merino for being able to turn around his fortunes in such impressive fashion during his maiden campaign in north London.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: ‘He is a similar profile to Havertz, Merino. Physically, he gives you set-pieces, crashing into the box, making runs.
‘He has been great. I looked at him a little bit at the start of the season and wondered if they had brought the wrong type of player.
‘There may still be an argument for that in that Arsenal still lack a bit of creativity, but when you look at what the lad’s done since Havertz got injured, he has been an absolute reservation.
‘You would be reluctant to take him out that role if you were Arteta.’
Carragher’s comments came with Merino absent from the squad chosen by Mikel Arteta for their game against the Eagles.
Merino has played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League semi-finals while filling as a makeshift forward.
Mikel Merino has enjoyed a surprise upturn in form as a makeshift striker for the Gunners
He scored Arsenal’s third goal in the first leg of their tie against Real Madrid to give them a deserved 3-0 win at the Emirates, before assisting for Bukayo Saka a week later at the Bernabeu.
With the Premier League title is all but assured of heading to Anfield, Arsenal’s hopes of silverware rest solely on success in the Champions League.
They face a PSG side who have already knocked out Liverpool and Aston Villa over two legs and are unbeaten in Ligue 1.
The first leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday April 29, with the return leg to follow in Paris on May 7.
