Mikel Merino now hopes to replicate one Thierry Henry achievement at Arsenal

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Mikel Merino has been discussing Thierry Henry and the importance of playing for a club like Arsenal.

The Euro 2024 winner has been on fire for the Gunners this season and is currently the club’s top goalscorer in 2025.

There is a strong case to be made that Merino has been Arsenal’s most underrated player this season, with Mikel Arteta hailing his versatility.

Over the last year, the Spanish international has transitioned from midfield to also being a striker, and he is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Gunners’ greatest ever player.

Mikel Merino wants to create history at Arsenal like Thierry Henry

Mikel Merino has picked Thierry Henry as his favourite ever Arsenal player when discussing the prestige of playing for the North London club.

The Spanish midfielder has also admitted that he is hoping to now create his own history at Arsenal, with the Gunners hunting down the Premier League title.

Merino was being shown through an array of historic Arsenal kits, and one name in particular caught his eye: “Thierry Henry is my favourite Arsenal player of all time.”

The 29-year-old also admitted that following in the footsteps of a player like Henry was a huge honour, and he now wants to help Arsenal win something himself.

“Of course. I mean, you are in a huge club, and not by chance, huge clubs are represented by huge players and players like Henry,” he added.

“He showed everyone what he was about and helped the club become bigger at the same time that the club was helping him become the player.

“So, yeah, not only him, but many other players in the history of the club… I’m very honoured to be playing for this amazing team. Hopefully, we can make history this season.”

During his eight seasons in N5, Henry won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Community Shields.

Mikel Merino is also a big fan of Cesc Fabregas at Arsenal

Merino also made it clear that he is a big fan of Cesc Fabregas, and his fellow countryman was one of his references when he signed for the club.

The Arsenal midfielder was shown the 2005/06 home kit with the Arsenal legend on the back, to which he replied: “Fabregas as well. Yeah. One of my references growing up, too.”

But Merino, who has been nicknamed ‘Merigol’ by David Raya, has admitted that Arsenal’s home kit from the 2004/05 season was his favourite, and he even owned one as a child.

“The red one. When I was growing up, I have a picture when I was eight years old with an Arsenal kit, full kit, with Henry on the back,” he added.

“It went viral when I signed for Arsenal because of how strange it is that you are eight years old wearing an Arsenal kit, but life gives you the opportunity to play for the club.”