Mikel Merino on what he will bring to Arsenal’s midfield

Mikel Merino has vowed to ‘fight for every ball’ following his move to Arsenal.

The Spanish midfielder – who was part of La Roja’s The team that won Euro 2024 last summer moved from Real Sociedad to the Gunners on Tuesday for a transfer fee of £31.6 million (according to BBC Sport).

Merino joins Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in forming one of the most balanced and effective midfield formations in the Premier League and Europe.

According to Arsenal’s official website, Merino won more duels than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues last season (326).

And it’s not so much Spanish flair or precision that Merino is keen to add to Arsenal’s midfield, but rather those fighting qualities.

“I think that’s a big part of my game and it shows the character I have,” Merino said. “I want to fight for every ball and that’s something I learned when I was very young. Maybe you can win it, or you can’t. I don’t promise that I’ll win every duel, but what I can promise is that I’ll fight for every ball with 100 percent.

“It’s always difficult to talk about myself in such terms, but I think I’m a hard worker, I want to call myself a good teammate. I like to work for the team, with or without the ball. I always think about the collective aspect of the game. I like to play with the ball, I have a Spanish football culture.”

Newcastle experience ‘huge’ lead for Mikel Merino

Merino has played for Borussia Dortmund and Osasuna in his former clubs and also has experience in England. In the 2017/2018 season he played 25 games for Newcastle United.

Although his previous experience with English football was not exactly palatable, Merino is looking to use this to his advantage as he settles into his new surroundings at the Emirates.

“I think it will be huge, because of how tough this league is when you come in as a new player,” he added. “Maybe you don’t realise it until you try it. But right now I have an idea of ​​what this league is like and how tough every game is.

“Of course, when I talk to team-mates, or ex-team-mates who are here, I know how high the standard is now. You have to win every game. I have a little idea of ​​the stadiums, the teams, the atmosphere you can expect, that’s always an advantage.”