Arsenal fans have good reason to be excited about the upcoming return of Mikel Merino.
Mikel Merino is yet to make his debut for Arsenal.
Signed from Real Sociedad in the recent summer transfer window, Merino sustained an injury in his first Arsenal training session.
As such, the midfielder is yet to make his bow for Mikel Arteta’s side. However, he is now closing in upon a return to action, and will be desperate to finally strut his stuff at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta recently provided an update on Merino, revealing that the Spain international has now returned to light training and is approaching the end of his recovery period.
Once he has returned to full fitness, the 28-year-old will be keen to make up for lost time and hit the ground running.
Arsenal set stage for Mikel Merino against Leicester City
Arteta’s team produced an impressive attacking display against Leicester City on Saturday. Arsenal managed a huge number of shots on target, and delivered many balls into the box.
However, these deliveries were not always attacked as efficiently as they have might been. Merino, though, will add a whole new threat in this regard.
The Euro 2024 winner will become something of a target man when he finally comes into the side. Merino is an outstanding aerial threat, and excels at arriving into the box in time to connect with crosses.
Adding him into the mix, alongside the likes of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Magalhaes, amongst others, will make Arsenal an even more potent threat for opposition defences to have to deal with.
If Arsenal can produce an attacking display such as they managed against the Foxes, with Merino on the pitch, then they ought to be able to inflict even greater damage on their opponents.
How Merino will fit into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI
When he returns to fitness, Martin Odegaard will resume being a nailed-on starter. Declan Rice’s place in the team is equally safe.
As such, Thomas Partey is the most likely to make way for the integration of Merino. The Ghanaian is not the player he once was, it is fair to say.
Arsenal improved when Ethan Nwaneri replaced Partey on Saturday, and the former Atletico Madrid man’s fitness record means that he can cannot be relied upon to start matches week in, week out in any case.
A first choice midfield trio of Rice, Merino, and Odegaard, with the former as the deepest-lying player, and the latter pair operating just behind the striker, is well-balanced and boasts a diverse range of attributes.
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