Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino claims Mikel Arteta does things behind the scenes he’s ‘never seen’ before

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Mikel Merino has finally been able to get his Arsenal career up and running.

Mikel Merino was afforded his long-awaited Arsenal debut in the 2-0 Champions League win over PSG on Tuesday night. 

Mikel Arteta introduced the Spanish midfielder as a second half substitute against the French giants, and he was welcomed with a warm reception from the Emirates Stadium crowd.

Arsenal signed Merino from Real Sociedad in the recent summer transfer window. However, disaster struck in his first training session in North London as he sustained a shoulder injury that sidelined him before he had chance to make his bow for the Gunners.

Merino only returned to Arsenal training very recently, but Arteta was clearly keen to get him involved on the pitch as soon as possible, so he handed him his debut at the first opportunity.

• READ MORE: Arsenal’s XI for Mikel Arteta’s first match as manager

Mikel Merino provides Arsenal training insight

Arsenal fans are excited about Merino and Declan Rice developing a partnership in the middle of the park this season. The duo have all the attributes required to form a hugely effective midfield pairing. However, it will take time on the training pitch for them to familiarise themselves with one another’s games. 

In terms of goings on on the training pitch, Merino has already been introduced to new ideas and methods since joining Arsenal. Arteta is certainly an innovative coach, and the Euro 2024 winner is clearly enjoying working under his management. 

Speaking to HaytersTV after making his debut, the 28-year-old said: “They do some things that I’ve never seen in my career, their methods they use are completely new to me.

“When you get it, you are at a different level. They challenge you every single day physically and mentally and that makes you sharp.

“There’s no rest between one moment and the other, they always challenge you mentally with different stimulus. It makes you always aware.”

Mikel Arteta’s innovations at Arsenal

The Spanish coach has earned something of a reputation for developing some bizarre training and motivation methods in his time at the helm in North London.

Ahead of the Gunners’ recent clash with Leicester City, for instance, Arteta had his players write their concerns about the game ahead of kick-off. 

More strangely, during the recent summer, Arteta hired pickpockets to target the Arsenal squad in an effort to teach his players about the importance of remaining alert and aware at all times. 

The Arsenal players have clearly bought into Arteta’s methods and take something positive from them, and Merino appears to be no exception to this rule.