Merino: Arsenal ready to win the Premier League and Champions League double

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Mikel Merino believes Arsenal have the mentality to achieve something the club has not managed in decades: a Premier League and Champions League double in the same season.

The midfielder's comments came after Arsenal beat Lille on Tuesday night, a result that made it two wins from two in this season's Champions League and extended the Gunners' winning run in the group phase of the competition to 14 consecutive victories, a streak spanning almost two years.

Arsenal arrive at this point having already won their first league title in 22 years last season, and the club have started this campaign with nine victories from their opening 10 matches. The only setback came in a 3-0 defeat at Brighton, leaving Arsenal three points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table.

'We know that we're making history'

Merino described the club's European run in striking terms. "It is an absolutely unbelievable run," he said. "We know that we're making history. At the same time, we know how difficult it is to win games, so we give a lot of value and credit to the team for what we're doing."

The Spain international went further when asked about Arsenal's targets for the season, setting out an ambition that stretches well beyond domestic success. "The goal and objective is to win the Champions League, to win the Premier League, to win everything," Merino said. "That's what the manager wants. That's what the fans want. That's what we as players want, too."

Pressed on whether he genuinely believes Arsenal are capable of the double this season, Merino did not hesitate. "Absolutely. This is our mentality and the aim," he said. "We were so, so close last season. That proved to us that we are ready for it. Now it's about details. It's about being present and ready in the right moments, and of course we believe that."

Merino was part of the Arsenal squad that suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last season, a result that ended the club's Champions League campaign at the semi-final stage.

Zubimendi and Hincapie fitness update

Arsenal will look to extend their group stage winning run to 15 when they travel to face Bayern Munich in Germany next week. Before that, Mikel Arteta's side take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, with midfielder Martin Zubimendi likely to be back in contention after an ankle injury picked up in training following the win over Leeds.

"Zubi is much, much better," Arteta said, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

Piero Hincapie suffered a separate ankle issue in the same training session. Arteta struck a more cautious tone on his situation. "Piero is improving, but it looks more significant. I think it will be a matter of weeks before he is available, but we don't know exactly how many," the Arsenal manager said.

Arsenal's focus now turns to maintaining pace in both competitions as the fixture list intensifies through the autumn.