Arsenal star Mikel Merino has started to add more goals into his game over the past season, with aims of chipping in with a few more opportunities to win points.
The Gunners looked to improve the midfield ranks in 2024 by signing the Spaniard from Real Sociedad in a deal worth up to £31.6million.
Merino had managed to impress with the Spanish national team in the European Championships before he joined Arsenal.
While away with La Roja, he played a key role in winning the Euros and even managed to make a name for himself with his goal celebration.
What is Mikel Merino’s goal celebration?
When Mikel Merino scores, he has made a habit of running over to the corner flag whenever possible to commit to his celebration.
The Spaniard runs around in circles by the flag, before running back to continue the match after the match continues.
It’s an odd choice, but one that actually has family ties involved, with his own father trademarking the celebration.
Why Mikel Merino runs around the corner flag in goal celebration
Merino’s celebration stems from his dad, Angel Merino, who happened to do the same when he scored a goal.
Featuring for Spain in 1991, the Arsenal star’s father ran around the corner flag after scoring in the Stuttgart Arena.
It was something Mikel Merino managed 33 years later for Spain in the Euros in the exact same stadium as his father.
What Mikel Merino has said about copying his dad’s celebration
After first copying his father’s celebration for Spain in Euro 2024, with a last-gasp winner against Germany, he discussed the decision to celebrate in the same way.
He told the press: “This stadium must have something that gives us luck. My father scored here. It is a special stadium for us.”
It was a lucky place for the Merino family, but there will be some hope that the corner flag celebration will be seen more and more in his time at Arsenal.
While the midfielder hasn’t got a clinical eye for goal, he does have the ability to chip in with more and more goals from the central ranks if required.
The Gunners will be looking to get that out of him and some more as they chase down plenty of trophies.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
