EPL: They’re very similar – Walcott tells Arteta not to play Arsenal duo together

Published on September 23, 2025 at 05:57 AM
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Former Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott has urged manager, Mikel Arteta not to play midfielders Martín Zubimendi, Olanz Mikel Merino together in his starting XI.

According to him, both Spain internationals are very similar in their style of play and get in each other’s way during an encounter.

The Englishman spoke following Arsenal’s Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City over the weekend.

“Merino is not that No. 10 and I’d like to see someone like Eze up there who is going to be a bit more creative,” Walcott told Match of the Day.

“We have got some similar players, and you have a lot of players who are left footers as well.

“Merino and Zubimendi are both that and very similar in that sense, and sometimes for me they get in each other’s way. For me, the balance is not right.”

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