Mikel Merino admits Dani Ceballos was right about Arsenal

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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino followed the same path as Dani Ceballos, leaving La Liga for the Premier League.

It’s been over four years since Ceballos said his final goodbyes to Arsenal after spending two seasons on loan at the Emirates.

The 29-year-old has since won two further Champions League medals with Real Madrid, adding to his trophy cabinet that includes a 2020 FA Cup winner’s medal.

Ceballos was one of many to make the move from La Liga to Arsenal, a journey that was taken by Merino in the summer of 2024 when the midfielder left Real Sociedad to join Mikel Arteta’s project.

Mikel Merino agrees with Dani Ceballos’ evaluation of Arsenal and the Premier League

Merino was charmed by what Arteta had on offer at Arsenal, and the same can be said about Ceballos before him.

Ceballos believed in Arteta from the very beginning, but the Spaniard’s time in England was far less glamorous than how life started for Merino.

One thing the Real Madrid star struggled with was the intensity of the English game compared to the demands of La Liga, which is something Merino actually agrees with.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference before Arsenal’s clash with Atletico Madrid, Merino was asked to comment on Ceballos’ complaint about the pace of games in England.

“When everyone says there’s a big difference and that the pace of the Premier League is very high, it’s for a reason, and it’s true,” Merino agreed.

“The pace and intensity in the Premier League are high; sometimes it’s crazy on the pitch, but you have to adapt as best you can.”

The Arsenal midfielder explained that La Liga allows midfielders to take a ‘more patient’ approach on the ball, but insisted that he’s up for the challenge in England.

“Sometimes it’s tiring, but you have to maintain the pace, and I think if you want to be one of the best players in the world, you have to be able to play in all situations.”

Merino’s goalscoring form has been transformed since he joined Arsenal, which wasn’t expected at all, but it’s one of the many traits that have shown that the 2024 signing is a good fit to the Premier League.

Dani Ceballos’ time at Arsenal compared to Mikel Merino’s

Some players relish the challenge of the Premier League, and for others, it’s just not a good fit.

Ceballos impressed in spells at Arsenal, but it was always clear that the playmaker was best suited to La Liga.

When comparing Ceballos’ numbers in the Premier League to Merino’s, it’s clear to see which player truly hit the ground running.

Focusing solely on Merino’s time at Arsenal, the Spain international already has eight goal contributions to his name in the Premier League.

Ceballos recorded only six in 14 appearances more than Merino has so far. 

Merino is certainly ahead of Ceballos when it comes to Spanish midfielders in the Premier League, but still being utilised at Real Madrid, the ex-Arsenal loanee won’t mind too much.