Not sure what you’ve been reading then.
Anyway trossard is scapegoated far more, he also added some liveliness today but missed that late chance so he’s toast for the next 2 weeks at least.
https://x.com/APresserV2/status/1855951507750842369
I imagined Xhaka trying to turn around like that while being pressed and immediately started laughing.
That dude’s first instinct in those situations was either trying to win a foul or fouling someone himself.
Should have signed Merino in 2021 when Xhaka was close to Roma.
Partey at his peak with Merino on one side and Odegaard on the other would be some midfield.
To think we’ve got Rice too now.
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I was happy with what Merino & Trossard brought to the game when they came on.
With Odegaard back, our midfield should start scoring again.
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Actualy looks great in that clip. Didn’t seem quite as good when watching live but great mix of calmness on the ball and good physicality.
Seems to get into some good goal-scoring positions too. I think he anticipated a touch on that big chance he had but wasn’t overly dissimilar to the one where he scored vs Pool.
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All the people who were saying Xhaka was better deserve a permanent ban.
You’ll see a different player once he starts to play with Odegaard regularly.
Xhaka had the luxury of playing with him week and week out in his final two years.
Obviously had peak Partey around in his final year too, just as important.
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Every time hes played recently he’s been on the end of or very close to being on the end of something in the box. I will always have a lot of time for a player who can put themselves in those positions and hopefully we see a few more of them pay off in time. Other than that he seems a tidy enough player so far.
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He’s got a bit of Sergio Busquets in him with the way he’s able to evade pressure from the opponents, and I have a lot of time for that.
And he looks like he’ll score a lot of goal judging by his mere presence in the box. Minimum 5 goals this season
EDIT:
https://x.com/billycarpy/status/1855957140155863474?s=46&t=eJpgg6uHWRsStnASv-OePg
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Odegaard Merino Rice midfield once at least please.
You won’t see that kind of composure and calmness to make a progressive pass under pressure even from Rice, let alone Xhaka.
That was really good.
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Maybe rice is benched if merino finds form 
La pausa. Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets were the absolute masters of it, and it’s certainly something Spaniards in general have.
I remember Rice doing an interview with Ferdinand I think, just when he arrived.
It was the interview where he said that he learned so many new things already under Arteta.
Rio asked him to elaborate and one of the things Rice mentioned was standing still and Rio looked baffled.
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Mikel must be happy.
But enough about winning duels. We need to start winning games and hopefully this guy will live up to expectations.
His strength is a huge asset and thought he was decent today.
Please at least take back the ‘Spanish Elneny’ comments lads
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Thought he looked solid today, that relationship with Calafiori looks very promising and will only get stronger.
Yea a very good performance. I like him so far.
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Good game, much better overall performance and getting used to the team now.
If he keeps it up I’d have rice on the bench atm, no jokes.
I’d like to see how Rice does behind the two of them, in his natural position
Thought that Merino was really good today.