ARSENAL fans have fumed “get him off” at Mikel Merino as he escaped a red card against Aston Villa.
The Gunners midfielder was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card in the top-of-the-table clash.
Merino, 29, had already been booked for a clash in the first half only to walk the line early in the second period.
He bundled over Villa star Morgan Rogers despite already being in the book.
Arsenal were leading 2-0 at the time but going down to ten men could have been costly against the Villans.
And fans were not happy with the Spaniard as they fumed on social media.
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One posted: “Get Merino off now.”
A second commented: “Mikel Merino is soooo rubbish in midfield. Please get this guy off.”
A third wrote: “The Mikel Merino midfield experiment needs to end, give me Eze immediately after the break.”
A fourth said: “I don’t say this lightly Mikel Merino is genuinely the worst midfielder I’ve seen play for this club off the ball.”
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Another added: “MERINO!???? CALM DOWN!!!! Mikel is already booked and is EXTREMELY LUCKY to not receive his second.”
Gabriel Magalhaes headed the Gunners into the lead just three minutes into the second half.
Martin Zubimendi made it 2-0 just four minutes later with a deft finish after running into the Villa box.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus both scored to extend the lead to four as the Gunners took full control of the contest.
The Brazilian’s goal was his first for the Gunners since January 1.
Ahead of the clash against Villa, Merino had scored three times and assisted three goals in the Premier League.
More to follow…