Mikel Merino’s move to Arsenal has been in the works for some time.
Arsenal recently signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.
Merino was unveiled at Arsenal yesterday, after a long-running summer transfer saga.
However, the story of the Spaniard’s switch to the Emirates Stadium began far earlier than this summer.
Mikel Arteta has been a fan of the 28-year-old for a long time, and the player himself has being eyeing a return to the Premier League for a year, having previously featured in the top flight of English football during a loan stint with Newcastle United.
The story behind Merino’s move to Arsenal involves months of talks, planning, and negotiations.
Meanwhile, Merino himself was holding his own talks with one current Arsenal star.
Mikel Merino reveals private talks with Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney is now back at Arsenal. It is hard to imagine that the Scottish left-back is in Arteta’s plans for this season, but given he picked up an injury at Euro 2024 earlier this summer, the Gunners were unable to move him on and as such he remains on the books in North London.
Last season, though, he was on loan at Real Sociedad.
Whilst Tierney and Merino were teammates in La Liga, the midfielder was already aware that his future may lay at the Emirates Stadium. As such, he was keen to quiz the loanee about life at Arsenal.
In his first interview as an Arsenal player, as shared on the club’s official YouTube channel, Merino has now offered up some details about these conversations.
He said: “We were talking last year as well, when he was there. I was asking some questions because I always want to learn new things and how life was in Arsenal, how they were doing things.
“We spoke a few hours ago as well, and he said this is a huge step for me in terms of my football career and that I will love also London and England. If he says this is a good place, then it’s a good place.”
Merino’s Arsenal connections
Tierney is not the only familiar face that Merino will have encountered upon his arrival at Arsenal.
He will also know David Raya, as the duo were both part of the Spain squad that triumphed at Euro 2024 this summer. Having shared that career highlight together will have forged a real bond between the pair.
What’s more, Merino also has a pre-existing relationship with Martin Odegaard, who previously spent time on loan with Real Sociedad. When Merino and the Arsenal captain were teammates they shared an effective relationship on the pitch that Arteta will be hoping they can swiftly rekindle.
Having these relationships in place will help Merino to settle at Arsenal.
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