Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Mikel Merino.
The Spaniard was Arsenal’s top target for several weeks, but talks with Real Sociedad to strike a deal proved more difficult than people thought.
Now, Arsenal have officially announced that Merino has joined the club on a long-term contract, and we can’t wait to see him make his debut.
Let’s break down the winners and losers from this transfer deal…
Winners from Arsenal’s Mikel Merino deal
Gabriel Martinelli
The last season in which Gabriel Martinelli played with a proper left-footed number eight on his side of the pitch, he scored 15 goals in the Premier League.
The Brazilian had a much more difficult campaign in 2023/24, which saw him net just eight goals in all competitions. Injuries definitely played a part, but he had little to no help from Declan Rice and Kai Havertz when they played as the left-sided number eight.
With Merino now available to play in that Granit Xhaka role, we are convinced Martinelli is going to have all the support he needs to return to his best.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice was one of Arsenal’s best players in the 2023/24 season, and he was pretty good against Wolves and Aston Villa in the first two games of the new campaign as well.
The Englishman has mostly been deployed as a left-sided number eight, but we expect him to be pushed back to the number six role now that Merino has arrived.
That should be music to his ears as in November 2023, Rice admitted that his best position is as a defensive midfielder (Athletic).
Nicolas Jover
Nicolas Jover has completely revolutionised Arsenal since he was appointed as the club’s set-piece coach.
Arsenal were one of the best teams in the world in set-piece situations in both boxes in the 2023/24 season, and they are now about to get stronger.
No other midfielder won more aerial duels than Merino in Europe’s top-five leagues last season. He will become a huge threat in the air for Arsenal, and we’re sure Jover already has a few ideas in mind to get the best out of him in set-pieces.
READ MORE: The ‘crucial’ thing Mikel Arteta did to convince Mikel Merino to join Arsenal
Losers from Arsenal’s Mikel Merino deal
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira‘s Arsenal career just hasn’t gone to plan.
The Portuguese midfielder has been at the Emirates for two full seasons, but he just hasn’t been able to live up to his price tag.
Merino’s arrival decreased his necessity, which is why Arsenal have agreed to loan Vieira out to Porto for the whole of this season.
That, in all likelihood, is the end of his career as a Gunner.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey, on his day, is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
However, the Ghana international has struggled with injuries over the last few years, and the fact that he’s 31 already means his days are numbered.
Merino’s arrival will push Rice back to a defensive midfield role, which means Partey will drop down to the bench.
We think once Merino is fully settled, Partey’s role at Arsenal will mostly be as a substitute.
Jorginho
Jorginho is one of Arsenal’s most important players behind the scenes.
The Italian’s experience at the top level makes him the perfect man to help the younger players in the squad, and he has been doing that since his first day at Arsenal.
With Partey all set to lose his starting spot because of Merino’s arrival, the Ghanaian will be the first option off the bench for Arteta.
That means Jorginho, who used to be the one to come on in the middle of the park, will drop further down the pecking order.
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid
Merino was a wanted man this summer after he entered the final year of his contract at Real Sociedad.
The Spaniard has been one of the best players in La Liga over the last few seasons, and his availability alerted two massive clubs in Spain – Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
That led to some fears among the Gunners fan base, but Merino snubbed both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona to join Arsenal.
That, once again, shows Arteta’s incredible pull in the transfer market.
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