Forget scoring against Real Madrid, Mikel Merino says another moment was his favourite during Arsenal’s 2024/25 season

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Mikel Merino enjoyed a promising end to his debut campaign at Arsenal.

The Spaniard made 44 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, scoring nine goals and registering five assists in the process.

Converted into a striker towards the back end of the campaign due to injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, Merino had his best run of form in the makeshift role, leading the North Londoners to their first Champions League semi-final since 2009.

Though the European adventure was cut short by Paris Saint-Germain in the last four, the former Real Sociedad man developed a cult hero status at the Emirates due to his out-of-position exploits.

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Mikel Merino reveals his favourite moment from the 2024/25 season

Arsenal signed Merino from Sociedad for £28 million last summer, with the Spain international brought in to provide cover and competition for the likes of Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.

Struggling to establish himself in midfield, Merino’s season came alive when he was told he would play up front against Leicester in February.

Netting seven goals between the game against the Foxes and the end of the season, the 28-year-old finished the campaign having contributed to 14 goals across all competitions.

Merino scored the third goal in Arsenal’s euphoric victory over Real Madrid at the Emirates, before assisting both of the Gunners’ strikes at the Bernabeu in the second leg.

Asked what his favourite moment of the season was, the midfielder didn’t cite either of the games against Los Blancos.

Instead, Merino claimed scoring his first goal for Arsenal against Liverpool back in October was his favourite of the campaign.

Meeting Rice’s delicious free-kick with his head, he steered the ball past Caoimhin Kelleher to give the Gunners the lead at the Emirates.

The game ended 2-2, with Mo Salah scoring a late equaliser for the Merseysiders, but it was the first time the Arsenal faithful had witnessed Merino’s aerial prowess in a red and white shirt.

Mikel Merino’s statistics 2024/25

Arriving at Arsenal with a reputation for being a combative, duel-winning midfielder who was excellent in the air, Merino proved to be exactly that.

Helping the Gunners win the physical battle in midfield, Merino was excellent in more scrappy matches where this was important.

However, Merino proved to be more of a threat in the final third than had been anticipated, based on what he had produced at Sociedad.

Putting up career-high shot and expected goals numbers, he was adept at making late bursts into the box and getting on the end of things.

Likely to move into more of a squad role next season with the imminent arrival of Martin Zubimendi, Merino can certainly still provide value for Arsenal in the future.