The £30 million midfield star Mikel Merino swapped the clubs for Arsenal, bustling streets. At Arsenal, a move from Real Sociedad this summer has been a life-changing moment and one that is already showing on the pitch. His journey and what awaits this talented Spaniard are studied here.
The arrival of Mikel Merino at Arsenal raised eyebrows. And he brought his tenacity and his skill to the Gunners as the midfielder, renowned for winning the most duels in Europe’s top five leagues last season. He made his debut against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League after recovering from a freak injury (a collision with Gabriel), winning four of six ground duels. This has helped make Arsenal’s midfield deeper and more dynamic with him.
Mikel Merino on signing for Arsenal
It’s not Merino’s first time in England. He was briefly with the Newcastle United jersey back in 2017 before moving back to Spain. And this time it’s not. There was a big project that had caught his attention, Arsenal. Merino shivered the winds of change as he was hungry and ambitious for titles. This season Real Sociedad has faced problems, even with their work ethic. Merino wants to make his mark now, in the red and white of Arsenal.
Merino talks about the differences between La Liga and the Premier League. It’s the former, a physical, contact-heavy league of constant back-and-forth action. More positional game that puts more premium on collective play than individual brilliance. Merino’s has been beating the English football rhythm for some time, but both have been providing a great show.
His shoulder fracture is behind him. He is ready; he is strong for this new adventure. He is familiar with his presence as one of the biggest of the passionate fan base behind him, of a historic club, and a coach who would sacrifice his life for football.
Merino’s fire is fired by the man in the hot seat, Arteta. Arteta is a passionate tacker and group manager. Mikel Merino, the £30 million midfield glistening lino who swapped the Basque Country for the throbbing London pavement.
Midfielder loving his time at Arsenal
Moving from Real Sociedad to Arsenal this summer was a life-changing moment for the player, and he’s made an impact on the pitch already. Let’s explore what sets him apart:
Work Rate and Positioning: La Liga outings provided Morino’s heat map, showing he is willing to cover every blade of grass. He can play on the left of a central midfield trio or the wing and he’s tactically astute and willing to work hard.
Duels Won: He won more duels last season across Europe’s top five leagues than any other player. Bruno Guimaraes, his former club Newcastle United’s nearest rival, couldn’t match Merino’s efforts. For his part, he can be so vital to midfield because of his ability to battle for possession, averaging over 18 duels per game.
Aerial Dominance: Merino is 6’2 and tops for midfielders in aerial duels. In the air, his 168 air wins show off his nous and his 124 flick-ons (and 47 of those successful) show just how big a role they play in his set-piece work.
Goal Contributions: Merino isn’t just a defensive player. He scored eight goals for Real Sociedad last season and showed his attacking ability. That season his nine assists matched Vinicius Junior in games played but in fewer. He’s now at his peak years as a midfielder, with 25 goal involvements in his last two seasons. Mikel Merino has been brilliant in the few games he has played for the Arsenal. We know his Ability. What he can do.
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