"Should have been like a super sub", "Midfield will be nonexistent" - Arsenal fans furious with Mikel Arteta's starting XI vs Liverpool

Arsenal fans on X (formerly Twitter) were left furious with manager Mikel Arteta after he named their starting XI for the Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday, August 31. Some fans think the midfield lacks creativity, and Mikel Merino should have come off the bench instead of starting.

Arteta stuck with his back line of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, and Riccardo Calafiori in front of goalkeeper David Raya. Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice keep their place in the midfield, with Merino coming in to replace Martin Odegaard, who is on the bench despite the injury scare.

Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli are on the wings, with Viktor Gyokeres leading the attack. The fans have received the starting XI well, largely, but Merino's inclusion has been a talking point.

One fan believed that the Spaniard should have been a super sub in the game, and wrote:

AJ ΞTH

@he_isaj

Merino should have been like a super sub to seal the game or just lock horns So no creativity we are going to rely on set piece till odegaard or eze comes on

AJ ΞTH

@he_isaj

wtf is wrong with Arteta ffs Merino as how nah? 🤦🏽‍♂️

Fola

@manlikefola_

3 dms 😭😭arteta o

Theo M-T

@Mason_T75

3 central defensive midfielders? Are you sure. Mikel?

Kurdy

@AfcKurdy

Why is merino playing ???

Bucks AFC⚪️🔴

@bondzii

Merino , Rice and Zubi ? Bruh we’re about to play like Mou Chelsea Our midfield will be nonexistent

Arteta spoke about the importance of the game in his press conference. He said:

"A very important one and we want to continue building the momentum that we are in right now. Going to those grounds, those stadiums, against this kind of opposition is what we want and coming away from those big games, winning in a really convincing way. That's the objective."

Arsenal and Liverpool drew both their matches last season 2-2, as the Reds went on to win the Premier League title by 10 points. The Gunners finished second for the third successive season.

Mikel Arteta comments on Arsenal facing Liverpool early in the season

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was questioned whether he would have preferred facing Liverpool later in the season, and the Spaniard said that the timing was not important. He said that the Reds were champions because of their consistency and said:

"It is what it is, we have to play them. They are the champions, they are champions for a reason, because they deserve to be champions. They were the better team last year, the most consistent one, the one that found ways to win in many different ways and we want to be that team this year. We need to go to Anfield with that spirit and that conviction."

When asked what needs to change for them to get the win at Anfield, he said:

"Be better than we've been in those games, more efficient and do what we've done with many other stats that we had, for even longer. Just go there and be convinced that we can go to Anfield and win."

Arsenal have not won a Premier League match at Anfield since 2012, when Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski sealed a 2-0 win.