Arsenal have now announced the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, and fans were delighted as his first photos in the new kit were released.
The club sprung a surprise as new pictures of Merino were released, and the midfielder replicated old photos from his childhood, in which he was wearing the 2004-05 home kit.
Arsenal have a lot of admirers across the world, with new Tottenham Hotspur signing Dominic Solanke also admitting that he supported the Gunners as a child, but Merino’s revelation comes as a big surprise.
Merino has now revealed why he owned an Arsenal kit as a child, but whilst it was not as a result of a long-term affection for the club, it is a story fans will love nevertheless.
Mikel Merino reveals story behind Arsenal kit
Speaking to Arsenal media after his signing, Merino explained that the kit was a special one for him as it was a gift from his parents.
“It’s funny how life works sometimes, those pictures were taken like 20 years ago, when I was a kid,” he stated.
“My father was a footballer as well, and I used to have T-shirts of the teams that he played in, but I never used to have other teams or the football teams T-shirts.
“But one holiday, my parents came home and gifted me a full Arsenal kit, and I remember being over the moon, and wanting to take pictures as if I were a professional.
“It’s funny how right now, I’m achieving a dream to play in a huge club and it’s funny how life works, that I have those pictures from twenty years ago.”
Mikel Merino’s childhood club was Osasuna
Merino’s father was also a footballer, and he played for La Liga sides Osasuna and Celta Vigo. Merino was a native to Osasuna, and made his breakthrough there after progressing through their academy.
Osasuna was his childhood club, and when he departed Newcastle in 2018, Merino made it clear that he wanted to be near his hometown.
Merino became a hero at Real Sociedad over the last few years, but whilst owning an Arsenal kit did not make him a lifelong fan, it is clear that he is living his dream to play for the Gunners, having turned down interest from elsewhere to join Mikel Arteta’s side.
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