How Arsenal signing Mikel Merino could encourage Arteta into major tactical reshuffle

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Arsenal have been linked with several mdifielders, and Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino is admired by Mikel Arteta.

Merino has been excellent for Real Sociedad and Spain, and Arsenal have been linked with the midfielder, who has just one year remaining on his deal.

Many questions have been raised over where Declan Rice’s best position is, with the idea that a new midfielder such as Merino would slot in alongside the Englishman and Martin Odegaard, but there is one problem when it comes to the Spaniard.

Mikel Merino is very similar to Arsenal star Declan Rice

Rice has performed well as a number six, but his best performances for Arsenal came in a box-to-box role, which allowed him to push forward and attack the opposition box.

Merino is similar in this regard. He can sit and dictate play, but the 28-year-old’s best strength comes as a midfielder who is allowed to push forward and use his blend of physicality and technical excellence to make late runs into the box and contribute in the final third.

Merino ranks in the top 7% of European midfielders for touches in the attacking penalty area, showing that restricting him to a role at the base of midfield may be a waste.

Arsenal could return to double pivot to accommodate Mikel Merino

If he is signed, Arteta can solve the problem he faces over who to drop deeper between Merino and Rice by changing formation.

The 4-3-3 Arteta has used for the last three years could be ditched in favour of the 4-2-3-1 he used when he first arrived at the club.

Merino and Rice could form a double pivot behind Odegaard in the number 10 role, and both players could be allowed to have their moments going forward, with neither restricted in their positions.