Mikel Merino has recently given his first interview as an Arsenal player.
After an extended transfer saga, Arsenal have finally secured the services of Mikel Merino.
Merino introduced himself to the Arsenal squad yesterday, following his arrival from Real Sociedad.
Mikel Arteta has pushed hard to bring Merino to the Emirates Stadium this summer. The club have been tracking the Euro 2024 winner for some time, and now view him as the ideal player to take up the role Granit Xhaka once played in the side.
A lot of work clearly went into getting this deal done. The Gunners had to reach an agreement with Real Sociedad and convince Merino himself to make the switch.
Mikel Merino reveals details of Mikel Arteta conversation
Merino had personal talks with Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar prior to agreeing a move to Arsenal.
In his first interview with the club, shown on Arsenal’s official YouTube channel, the 28-year-old has lifted the lid on the conversations he had with the duo.
He said: “It was an easy decision, because of the past years, how big the club is, but also the ambition you could see.
“Not only watching the games, but as well talking to Edu, talking to Mikel, when they explained the process that they have been doing, and the way they have been doing things, it gets easier for you to decide because you see the hunger, and the ambition for how they want to win.
“Me, as a player, I want that in my career.”
Clearly, Arteta and Edu were able to convince Merino to buy into the Arsenal project, and instilled in him the belief that this was the right move for him to make.
Merino’s role at Arsenal
Merino will have an important part to play for the Gunners this season, though how exactly he will fit into Arteta’s tactical plans remains to be seen.
Pundits have disagreed about the role Merino will play in this Arsenal team. He has the capacity to operate in a more advanced position, behind the the striker, where his aerial prowess will allow him to provide a goal threat.
Alternatively, he can play as a No. 6, protecting the back four, and using his tactical intelligence and passing ability to launch attacking moves.
The challenge for Arteta will come with having to construct a midfield that allows Merino and Declan Rice to thrive alongside one another, and complements their individual qualities.
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