After weeks of speculation and negotiations, Arsenal have finally announced the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. Arsenal had been targeting a central midfielder, and after scouting players like Amadou Onana, Bruno Guimaraes, and Douglas Luiz, they decided to pursue Merino. As reported last week by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Arsenal reached an agreement with Real Sociedad for Merino in a deal worth £28.4 million plus £4.2 million in bonuses. LWOS brings you an analysis of the impact this transfer will have.
Arsenal Sign Mikel Merino
Another Man-Mountain in North London
Arsenal fans on social media have been jokingly referring to their team as the ‘Setpiece FC‘. This comes after the Gunners scored the most goals from setpieces in the league last season.
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Merino will help increase the threat Arsenal pose from corners and freekicks. He won 5.95 aerial duels per 90 in the La Liga last season, placing him at the 99th percentile. Perhaps the best example of his prowess in the air was the dramatic late winner he scored in the Euro quarterfinals against Germany. He has also won more duels (326) than any other player across the top five European leagues in 2023-24
Graeme Souness once mocked Arsenal as a “team of son-in-laws,“ referring to their soft-touch nature. But Mikel Arteta’s men are no longer easy to play against, and the addition of Merino will make them a nightmare for their rivals.
Releasing the Shackles off Martinelli
The lack of a left-sided midfielder with an eye for a pass has affected the progress of winger Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian often looks clueless without support from the midfield.
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Merino can be the answer to this issue. Though he has only a 76.2% pass completion rate, he played 5.91 progressive passes per 90 in the league and is known for his flick-ons. Thus, his passing is good enough to trouble defenders, and Martinelli should look to build a good rapport with the new signing.
Speaking of Merino’s technical ability, former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez said: “He can control the ball. He has a very good left foot, he’s capable of playing the final pass, he gets there at the right time. He’s another player with intelligence.”
Merino Increases Arsenal Squad Depth
Arsenal saw a host of midfielders leave the club this season. Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira departed to Fulham and Porto, respectively, while Mohamed Elneny left as a free agent. This necessitated adding Merino to the club’s ranks. The 28-year-old can play as a number 8 and 6, adding even more versatility to this team.
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Both Smith Rowe and Vieira had been suffering from injury issues, making them unavailable at crucial junctures of the season. So, any incoming midfielder needed to be one who wouldn’t make frequent visits to the medic’s room. Merino has been quite good with his injury record. He missed an average of just three games per season in the last four years.
Arsenal Are Overtaking Other European Giants
Another inference from Merino’s transfer is that with each passing day, Arsenal are becoming a more attractive destination in the eyes of the top players. This is evident from their recent transfer targets turning down other big teams in their favour.
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Merino reportedly had garnered interest from Atletico Madrid but was not keen on joining them. Instead, he was craving to join Arsenal. Consequently, the Diego Simeone-led side had to strike a deal for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
Another summer signing, Riccardo Calafiori, had rejected Juventus for Arsenal. This was even more surprising given the tendency of Italian players to prefer to remain in Serie A rather than move abroad.
Arteta has been crucial in persuading players. No wonder Martin Odegaard challenged players to remain unconvinced by the silver-tongued Spaniard after a meeting with him.
A Point to Prove in England
Merino had a solitary season in 2017/18 with Newcastle United before leaving when Real Sociedad came calling. He will be eager to show the English crowd what he is capable of, and at Arsenal, he has the perfect platform for it.
During his time in England, Merino ranked above the 90th percentile for tackles, interceptions, blocks, and aerials won. He had no problem adapting to the intensity of the Premier League back then, so there shouldn’t be any now.
The Arsenal faithful will be eager to see their latest recruit in action and hope he can play a vital role in the title race this season.
