Not Mbappe, Bellingham or Vinicius Jr, there’s a different Real Madrid star Mikel Merino wants to play with

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Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has analysed the Gunners’ upcoming Champions League opponent.

Arsenal will face Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final, with a three-goal lead to protect. 

The Gunners beat Real Madrid 3-0 in the first leg at the Emirates to truly stun Europe, giving the Galacticos a mountain to climb at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Mikel Arteta’s side will have confidence in their defensive solidity, but can Arsenal keep one of the world’s best front lines out?

• READ MORE: Predicted Arsenal lineup and XI vs Real Madrid as Mikel Arteta makes Thomas Partey decision

Mikel Merino selects his favourite Real Madrid player

Vinicius Junior has warned Arsenal ahead of the second leg, as have several members of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. 

The Brazilian winger is one of the world’s best, with a handful of his teammates in the same boat.

Arsenal will have to dull Real Madrid’s sparkle just as they did in the first leg, something the comeback kings will fight against.

Mikel Merino is aware of Real Madrid’s comeback threat as the midfielder spoke to the media ahead of the clash. 

In an interview with COPE, Merino also named his favourite Real Madrid player, snubbing the popular picks of Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. 

“They’re all top-level players, I love them all, but the one I like the most, and I’ve already said I’d like to play with him, is Rodrygo,” Merino revealed.

The Arsenal star went on to give three reasons why he dreams of playing alongside a player of Rodrygo’s profile one day.

“He’s very good technically, he plays very well between the lines, he moves into space well… I really like watching him play. He’s a profile that any midfielder would like to play with.”

How many goals have Real Madrid’s front four scored this season?

With 23 goal contributions in all competitions this season, Arsenal will be wary of the threat Rodrygo could pose.

Though the Brazilian is highly rated by Merino, he’s not the only forward the Gunners will be paying close attention to. 

Between Ancelotti’s front four of Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham, an eye-watering 77 goals have been scored in 2024/25.

To put into perspective the threat the quartet pose, that’s 20 more goals than Arsenal have scored as a collective in the Premier League this term.

Such won’t concern Arsenal, given how the Gunners kept Los Blancos quiet in the first leg, with 90 minutes separating the North Londoners from the Champions League semi-final.