The fact that we still have viera in the team, I think he can grow towards what Ruiz can offer But merino can offer something slightly different than what anyone else can offer in the team. Nwaneri too can give use Ruiz atribute but none and give us merino but now and potentially
Merino will be good if we want to press quickly when we loose possession. Ruiz will be better if we want to dominate possession. Also Ruiz has been playing with better players so his stats may be skewed when compared directly to merino
Fabian Ruiz is a steal and in Artetas system he would be like Xhaka 3.0. He would be the player we always wanted Xhaka to be. His resume is simply just bigger and he has played throughout his career more consistently at a higher level and in more pressured environments and performed at the highest level. At Napoli he was one of the best midfielders in Europe. Merino has had good seasons of late and would fit in but Ruiz takes our midfield and overall squad up a level.
James, if you'll read this, the possibilities you see are limited by the fact that you so badly want to see Rice at the base of midfield. The question though should be, who wins if he plays there? It neither gets the best out of him nor does it improve the team massively (unless you can explain a particular quality of Rice that would strive best at the base ) With that in mind, I guess the better option of the two becomes obvious. They're both not the ideal partner for him, but Ruiz would suit him best. Think of Rice at LCM and Ruiz at the base and you don't necessarily have to invert a fullback to progress the ball. It also fits like a glove when we loose the ball. I'd get them both though as I believe Merino would be a good backup to Rice.
Fabian Ruiz is the closest replacement we'll have to Xhaka but he comes with better technical n athletic abilities.. He's got good defensive work rate but his progressive passing range will bring out the best in Martinelli n Calafiori (if he plays LB). Ruiz also showed during euros that he can handle epl defensive pressure judging from the france, germany n england games. An initial loan with a buy option is a nobrainer as it frees up funds for more attacking impetus. He has pretty unique midfield capabilities which doesn't exist currently in our squad n would help mould youngsters. I dont think we should be worried about the no6 cdm position as rice n timber could thrive there alongside Partey n Jorghy if they stay. Merino is a safe option but Ruiz is a better all-round baller.
Rarely is it that both targets are so similar that either one improves the team almost similarly. I personally prefer Merino’s final third savviness and overall presence but also would not mind Fabian Ruiz’s composure and second nature passing.
We getting either or the other, not both. I think I would rather Merino but don't mine Ruiz. The only way I see us getting both is if Thomas goes, so having both would balance the experience in the midfield. I think Arsenal is just keeping there options open ..........which is the way to do wise business.
Rice does really work as a 6...he's better as an 8. We should be getting someone who can really play the 6 position, can't fully rely on Partey and/or Jorginho. Fofana would be a really good, not great buy to start building into that role...
Rice doesn't have the proper qualities of a 6. We need an defensive 8 that can cover the midfield with rice. Rice can then do his random progressive runs once in a while
@@martypatrick1547 That's like saying oh, he's a chef, he just doesn't know how to fry chicken... C'mon, part of the qualities of a 6 is to build up play. In addition to breaking up play, he has to be technical enough to receive the ball and swiftly turn a defense into an attack, l love Rice but he's not that and we're the worse for it. Our best games last season were ones in which Jorginho played as 6 and Rice was pushed forward. You can't play Rice as 6 alone, best case scenario is to play a double pivot if you want to play him as 6...
I think Merino complements Arsenal more in terms of defensive solidity as well as through balls. Ruiz is more skillful but we have his like in Odegard. But we can get both for depth. We need an Odegard rotation, If he gets injured, Arsenal is in trouble. Though as Arsenal is losing 4 homegrown talents, we should probably get one of them (Merino) and Eze
Do you think realistically we would be trying to sign both or would it be more of a case of one or the other ? I think we need to add both regardless of whether we let any more midfielders leave, arteta seems to have a hard time trusting many players outside of our strong 13/14 players. Having a deep squad of quality should hopefully enable us to pursue cup competitions more seriously this season
If we can get both great, but if we can get just one, maybe Ruiz is be better because he’s the better passer and and can complement rice, who as good as he is, pssing isn’t his best attribute (not that he’s bad at it)
Mikel Merino has some of Havertz qualities as well. Due to his aerial capacity and link up play and his height, I can see him also covering Havertz as a false 9 as well
I think I’d prefer Merino as the left-8 in our system. I can more easily picture him playing the role as Xhaka played it, so I already have a nice, clear idea in my head of how that would work, and how he might get that left pod firing again. I think he’d give us some of what Rice does in that role in terms of the high-pressing and duel-winning and stopping us getting transitioned on (Arteta seems to prefer that kind of work to happen higher up the pitch). And I think he’d also give you a little bit of what we were hoping for with Havertz in that role, in that I think he looks to get into the box more than Ruiz would (Ruiz looks more of a threat from range). That being said, I prefer the idea of Ruiz as the 6, if Partey were to move on. I know it’s not where he usually plays, but he looks the more press-resistant of the two and has the better range of passing, which (for me at least) are the two key attributes we look for in that role, in our system. Could he be converted? Maybe. We did it with TP. That would have to be one in, one out, though.
To clarify, I very much see Merino as a rotation option with Rice at left-8 - that’s a deal we could, and should, do now because the vacancy is already there, and it looks cheap and easy to do. With Ruiz I don’t think the vacancy is there yet - we’d need someone to leave first. BUT… if that were to happen then I think he’d be coming in as a starter, and not a rotation option.
Get both… with Havertz no.8 experiment failed, ESR getting sold and Vieira not trusted… play rice and Jorginho at 6 and Ruiz + merino at 8. Partey could be sold or kept as insurance. Ruiz and merino would cost a combined 25mil or so (cos Ruiz is likely a loan with buy option).
James should have also shown the players traits from FM as they are quite accurate and also gives an insight into how the player influences their current team.
This to me feels like Mikel building a Spanish core at the midfield both short and long term. Could easily see both coming in and Zubimendi next summer with Partey and Jorginho departing
It's mainly Zubimendi being tasked with most of the passing volume at Real Sociedad while Merino does more ambitious stuff, which is why his passing statistics seem underwhelming. He's not a controller.
I have been wanting is to sign Fabian Ruis for about 3 years at least. He is exactly what heed at No 8. We should also get Merino as well because we need him too
Fabian Ruiz peaked at Napoli and PSG fans wanted him out before the Euros. Way to inconsistent. Im sure had plenty of suiters when leaving Napoli but he chose money at PSG. Merino has actual prem experience and is hitting career best form for club and country and played with Odegaard. No brainer.
Al day marino he souts arteta tactics and martineli wlii good quality pass and he scores and defends well he is what u call box to box midfield e everyone can. Go on look for it in UA-cam
You watched this video and concluded that Merino is the overall better player? From the stats I just saw, there’s not much between them defensively while Ruiz is a lot better than Merino offensively. We already have a very competent defensive midfielder in Rice, we need Ruiz on the ball and passing skills to complement what we already have and Ruiz isn’t even a slouch defensively by any stretch. Ruiz is the better player and even their national team coach thinks so.
Why you salty about chido when he clearly sees that your man Mikel doesn't give opportunity to hale end grads, the likes of patino and them still haven't featured despite us clearly seeing the talent while you have yamal already shinning his star for Barcelona at age 17.. What are we protecting when it comes to own talent? 🤷🏽♂️
Ruiz for me because we need more open goal than set piece goal…The one who will set Martinelli back to form the most will be Ruiz too… Merino offer much aerial threat but his passing stat is far from good.We are usually the dominating team hence we need a player who better in possession. Ruiz for me but I don’t mind having Merino too . We just 6th in terms of open play xg created last season. With Ruiz progressive play we will be much better. Some pop from long range too if opportunity arise
@@udthegooner I meant Ruiz. You won't believe me but I initially typed Ruiz, but saw someone else type Diaz and edited it. I thought I already corrected it, but UA-cam didn't actually post my edited version 😂🤦.
Getting two players who are similar is a waste of money. Arsenal need a brilliant passer like Ruiz who is also able to defend decently cuz Arsenal already has a lot of defensive power. I think Ruiz is better because of his significant passing abilities which Arsenal doesn’t have on the left
James, these guy's qualities are what we thought Fabio Vieira brings to the team. Alas! We were wrong 😢 Or check these guys against Fabio and prove me wrong pls 😂
Who would YOU prefer?
Get them both in and sell partey
Honestly Zubimendi would be the ideal option his age is definitely a a plus but since he wants to stay at sociodad I don’t see it happening
@@Shawn8407mate your take is ridiculous
Fabian Ruiz if can get him on loan which leave budget for a good forward
Both. Ruiz will complement Declan well and Merino for depth
Let's get both, We need depth in midfield. They are both 8s but Merino feels more like 6 / 8 and Ruiz an 8 / 10
exactly
We need both players
Partey and jorginho are both leaving next season we might as well get both now
Life isn’t a video game … sadly
Yes get both, sell Jorginho and Viera to partially fund this transfer
Sorry but Ruiz is not a 10
Damn James working hard. Enjoy LA
Trust me I’m having a blast!
My heart is going for Merino. I am always thinking about when we lose the ball what happens?
Both of them, we are losing ESR and Moh, and Partey is injured at least a third of the season.
Rice cleans up. Our defense is incredible, we need to improve at breaking down low blocks, Ruiz scores goals.
@@philmusson1265”Ruiz scores goals”. They basically have the same number of career goals, mate. Ruiz (35) and Merino (36).
When I lose I Duel I'm upset
Ruiz is good defensively
The fact that we still have viera in the team, I think he can grow towards what Ruiz can offer
But merino can offer something slightly different than what anyone else can offer in the team.
Nwaneri too can give use Ruiz atribute but none and give us merino but now and potentially
What an analysis. Great job
Thank you so much!!
This is the best tactical Analysis I've seen from you,its exactly what they both offers.it depends on the coach and what exactly he wants.
Great video, seems Merino overall would be a better option in terms of balance, aerial ability.
Merino will be good if we want to press quickly when we loose possession. Ruiz will be better if we want to dominate possession. Also Ruiz has been playing with better players so his stats may be skewed when compared directly to merino
I say we try get both looks like we will tbf
what a video james
Thank you ❤️💪🙏
Fabian Ruiz is a steal and in Artetas system he would be like Xhaka 3.0. He would be the player we always wanted Xhaka to be.
His resume is simply just bigger and he has played throughout his career more consistently at a higher level and in more pressured environments and performed at the highest level. At Napoli he was one of the best midfielders in Europe. Merino has had good seasons of late and would fit in but Ruiz takes our midfield and overall squad up a level.
Merino resembles me of a typical arteta player but on the other hand fabian Ruiz offers something different
I think whoever we get is still going to help improve the team next season.
Great premise for this video. Was thinking about this yesterday when we were linked to Ruiz
after watching the bournemouth preseason game i think were going for ruiz. he fits the nwaneri lcm role better
Great video James, impressive analysis as always
Thank you so much 💪💪❤️❤️
Why not get both of them.. Elneny left and Smith Rowe on his way out..
Cmon arsenal get them both 💪
If Ruiz is a loan deal with obligations to buy, then sign both 😊
We can still sell one and keep one later
Get the one who is the least injury-prone. If budget is not a problem, sign one and get the other on loan.
well Merino played in 32 of 38. Ruiz played 21 of 38
James, if you'll read this, the possibilities you see are limited by the fact that you so badly want to see Rice at the base of midfield. The question though should be, who wins if he plays there? It neither gets the best out of him nor does it improve the team massively (unless you can explain a particular quality of Rice that would strive best at the base )
With that in mind, I guess the better option of the two becomes obvious. They're both not the ideal partner for him, but Ruiz would suit him best. Think of Rice at LCM and Ruiz at the base and you don't necessarily have to invert a fullback to progress the ball. It also fits like a glove when we loose the ball.
I'd get them both though as I believe Merino would be a good backup to Rice.
😂you clearly have never seen them both play
For me I prefer Fabian Ruiz he is a top top player
Fabian Ruiz is the closest replacement we'll have to Xhaka but he comes with better technical n athletic abilities.. He's got good defensive work rate but his progressive passing range will bring out the best in Martinelli n Calafiori (if he plays LB). Ruiz also showed during euros that he can handle epl defensive pressure judging from the france, germany n england games. An initial loan with a buy option is a nobrainer as it frees up funds for more attacking impetus. He has pretty unique midfield capabilities which doesn't exist currently in our squad n would help mould youngsters. I dont think we should be worried about the no6 cdm position as rice n timber could thrive there alongside Partey n Jorghy if they stay. Merino is a safe option but Ruiz is a better all-round baller.
Rarely is it that both targets are so similar that either one improves the team almost similarly. I personally prefer Merino’s final third savviness and overall presence but also would not mind Fabian Ruiz’s composure and second nature passing.
Ruiz vs Merino vs Olmo would be a belter.
Olmo is an attacker/ attacking midfielder
We getting either or the other, not both. I think I would rather Merino but don't mine Ruiz. The only way I see us getting both is if Thomas goes, so having both would balance the experience in the midfield. I think Arsenal is just keeping there options open ..........which is the way to do wise business.
We loosing partey and jorginho next season
We might as well get them now since they won't cost much
Great video James! What camera are you using to shoot this video?
Iphone 18 pro max
Rice does really work as a 6...he's better as an 8. We should be getting someone who can really play the 6 position, can't fully rely on Partey and/or Jorginho. Fofana would be a really good, not great buy to start building into that role...
Rice doesn't have the proper qualities of a 6. We need an defensive 8 that can cover the midfield with rice. Rice can then do his random progressive runs once in a while
What are the proper qualities of a 6, he's just not a build up players that's it, but he's a 6...
Am not sure if you people really know what a 6 and 8 is.
@@LearnXane By all means, please explain what a 6 and a 8 is?
@@martypatrick1547 That's like saying oh, he's a chef, he just doesn't know how to fry chicken... C'mon, part of the qualities of a 6 is to build up play. In addition to breaking up play, he has to be technical enough to receive the ball and swiftly turn a defense into an attack, l love Rice but he's not that and we're the worse for it. Our best games last season were ones in which Jorginho played as 6 and Rice was pushed forward. You can't play Rice as 6 alone, best case scenario is to play a double pivot if you want to play him as 6...
Great comparison James!🔥
The only reason for merino having a lower pass completion is because he trys more risky passes than ruiz more of like a bruno Fernandez type of passes
I think Merino complements Arsenal more in terms of defensive solidity as well as through balls. Ruiz is more skillful but we have his like in Odegard. But we can get both for depth. We need an Odegard rotation, If he gets injured, Arsenal is in trouble. Though as Arsenal is losing 4 homegrown talents, we should probably get one of them (Merino) and Eze
Do you think realistically we would be trying to sign both or would it be more of a case of one or the other ?
I think we need to add both regardless of whether we let any more midfielders leave, arteta seems to have a hard time trusting many players outside of our strong 13/14 players. Having a deep squad of quality should hopefully enable us to pursue cup competitions more seriously this season
If we can get both great, but if we can get just one, maybe Ruiz is be better because he’s the better passer and and can complement rice, who as good as he is, pssing isn’t his best attribute (not that he’s bad at it)
Mikel Merino has some of Havertz qualities as well. Due to his aerial capacity and link up play and his height, I can see him also covering Havertz as a false 9 as well
Really like the fm ratings compared to the stats good work James
I think I’d prefer Merino as the left-8 in our system. I can more easily picture him playing the role as Xhaka played it, so I already have a nice, clear idea in my head of how that would work, and how he might get that left pod firing again. I think he’d give us some of what Rice does in that role in terms of the high-pressing and duel-winning and stopping us getting transitioned on (Arteta seems to prefer that kind of work to happen higher up the pitch). And I think he’d also give you a little bit of what we were hoping for with Havertz in that role, in that I think he looks to get into the box more than Ruiz would (Ruiz looks more of a threat from range).
That being said, I prefer the idea of Ruiz as the 6, if Partey were to move on. I know it’s not where he usually plays, but he looks the more press-resistant of the two and has the better range of passing, which (for me at least) are the two key attributes we look for in that role, in our system. Could he be converted? Maybe. We did it with TP. That would have to be one in, one out, though.
To clarify, I very much see Merino as a rotation option with Rice at left-8 - that’s a deal we could, and should, do now because the vacancy is already there, and it looks cheap and easy to do.
With Ruiz I don’t think the vacancy is there yet - we’d need someone to leave first. BUT… if that were to happen then I think he’d be coming in as a starter, and not a rotation option.
Let's get them both, they're cheap and will raise the floor massively. Next year when Partey n Jorginho leave we can buy a Musiala type player
Sell Smith Rowe and Fabio viara to get them both 🤣
Get both… with Havertz no.8 experiment failed, ESR getting sold and Vieira not trusted… play rice and Jorginho at 6 and Ruiz + merino at 8. Partey could be sold or kept as insurance. Ruiz and merino would cost a combined 25mil or so (cos Ruiz is likely a loan with buy option).
With Ruiz I feel there could be a possibility to push for a Loan + Buy Option
Merino played for Sociedad. Ruiz played for PSG.. I think these numbers are difficult to compare..
Wow wow Amazing ! I really needed the comparison
James should have also shown the players traits from FM as they are quite accurate and also gives an insight into how the player influences their current team.
@@tonyfreeman4249 will do next time for sure!
This to me feels like Mikel building a Spanish core at the midfield both short and long term. Could easily see both coming in and Zubimendi next summer with Partey and Jorginho departing
It's mainly Zubimendi being tasked with most of the passing volume at Real Sociedad while Merino does more ambitious stuff, which is why his passing statistics seem underwhelming. He's not a controller.
It would be interesting to see what those numbers looked like if you only included data from their international appearances 🤔
I have been wanting is to sign Fabian Ruis for about 3 years at least. He is exactly what heed at No 8.
We should also get Merino as well because we need him too
Sell Partey and buy both.
But no bids is coming for partey yet
Fabian Ruiz peaked at Napoli and PSG fans wanted him out before the Euros. Way to inconsistent. Im sure had plenty of suiters when leaving Napoli but he chose money at PSG. Merino has actual prem experience and is hitting career best form for club and country and played with Odegaard. No brainer.
another great vid James
That "Saka crossing to Merino for a goal" scenario is exactly what Yamal did with Ruiz at the Euros. 🤷♂
I think Ruiz would be the better option just because of the loan with the option to buy. This gives us more budget to spend on forwards
we should get them both if we don't want to spend a big fee for a single midfield this summer
Merino is better in terms of physicality and fitness suiting EPL. Great job bro!!!!!
I got the Solution !…….. get both !🤣
I want both
Fabian ruis though is tie first player and Eze that we have been linked with where I actually got excited
ruiz is smart classy player but we need big strong physical player like merino
Fabian ruiz was sick in euros definitely need him alongside rice and odegaard
It would be interesting to see how these guys match up to Jorginho and Partey
I would say *Merino* , we need that extra man in box to dominate air duels for those crosses .
Ngl I've been avoiding watching this video the whole day cus I thought it was just a random channel, I forgot about the rebrand...
Why are we not envisioning a possibility of having Ruiz play the Odegaard position and Merino the the left 8?
i will take fabian ruiz, i like how he scores goals as well, he has awesome finese and he would be perfect xhaka replacement
Ruiz is on 3x the wages that Merino is on. So when you factor cost in, Merino is the clearly better deal.
If there's not much differences between them then it's a matter of price tag then.. Who's with price and wage cheaper than the other?
I'll be happy with any as long as they can help Martinelli like how Xhaka did and that's how we will win the league
Al day marino he souts arteta tactics and martineli wlii good quality pass and he scores and defends well he is what u call box to box midfield e everyone can. Go on look for it in UA-cam
why can't we get both ? 🤔
We need both of them,so why are you putting them up against each other as if we have to choose?
Ruiz 🔥🔥
Did you mention my country Kenya at some point 😄
Also one is in the french league, one is in the spanish. Arsenal should get Merino. Overall the better player, and profile. For under 30M is a steal.
You watched this video and concluded that Merino is the overall better player? From the stats I just saw, there’s not much between them defensively while Ruiz is a lot better than Merino offensively. We already have a very competent defensive midfielder in Rice, we need Ruiz on the ball and passing skills to complement what we already have and Ruiz isn’t even a slouch defensively by any stretch. Ruiz is the better player and even their national team coach thinks so.
@@eguasaogiamien1755 Merino is the better player. Lets see brother
Ruiz looks class
Get merino, because we have vieria for passing if needed
Both
Why not get both? Especially if we can get Ruiz on loan.
Why you salty about chido when he clearly sees that your man Mikel doesn't give opportunity to hale end grads, the likes of patino and them still haven't featured despite us clearly seeing the talent while you have yamal already shinning his star for Barcelona at age 17.. What are we protecting when it comes to own talent? 🤷🏽♂️
@@theguynamed_collins4152 when have I ever been salty about it?
Indeed its over to Mikel Arteta to choose from the 2
the left side has calafiore and Martinelli , defensively you don't have to worry, bring Ruiz + eze PLEASE EDU
agree. we can always play rice in left 8 if playing zinchenko or trossard. But we need a right footed creative AM option in big games.
Ruiz will be perfect but is a difficult one
They are all good but Luiz is a little better but Mikel’s system or style of play accommodates both perfectly, thanks James for the comparison
can see us maybe even signing both.. Ruiz as ESR replacement & Merino as cover/to battle Partey
James enjoy LA. You do know all of us will be here if you skip a few days to chill and enjoy right?
Trust me I’m having a blast!
Seems to me they are trying to fill what they tried to fill last year with Kai Havertz. Arteta must see real value in this archetype in the 8
Merino for me, he reminds me of Xhaka!
Your saying just get both ;)
Ruiz for me because we need more open goal than set piece goal…The one who will set Martinelli back to form the most will be Ruiz too… Merino offer much aerial threat but his passing stat is far from good.We are usually the dominating team hence we need a player who better in possession. Ruiz for me but I don’t mind having Merino too . We just 6th in terms of open play xg created last season. With Ruiz progressive play we will be much better. Some pop from long range too if opportunity arise
Why can't we have BOTH 🤷
Rice Ode Ruiz would be generational
Can we get both? Merino on a permanent deal and Ruiz on loan. I'd be happy with that.
Ruben Dias???? 💀
@@udthegooner 😂😂😂😂
@@udthegooner I meant Ruiz. You won't believe me but I initially typed Ruiz, but saw someone else type Diaz and edited it. I thought I already corrected it, but UA-cam didn't actually post my edited version 😂🤦.
Fabian Ruiz vs Mikel Merino
Getting two players who are similar is a waste of money. Arsenal need a brilliant passer like Ruiz who is also able to defend decently cuz Arsenal already has a lot of defensive power. I think Ruiz is better because of his significant passing abilities which Arsenal doesn’t have on the left
Ruben Diaz would be a dream signing for Arsenal
Are you stupid mate?
Been looking for a video like this today
Prayers answered
But I prefer Ruiz
I feel we need to attack more
Quality video, I’d choose Ruiz
We lost Elmeny and Suarez, so get them both
Reckon Stan would say Calafriori took our Soares credit... maybe even our Soares, Elneny and ESR credit 😅
So we spent 100m on Rice but need a better version the next summer? PATHETIC
Fitness upgrade for ESR right? Defo need 2 per position with UCL.
Every team would like to have fabian ruiz, but i don't think psg would let him go easily
He doesn't start for PSG, they'd let him go no doubt 😂
PSG fans believe he's shit aside the fact that he had excellent performance in Euros 😂
So what you're saying is get both 😅
We need both. Arteta can play Ruiz in the #6 as well as 8. If we need a #6
James, these guy's qualities are what we thought Fabio Vieira brings to the team. Alas! We were wrong 😢
Or check these guys against Fabio and prove me wrong pls 😂