What Arsenal Fans Can Expect from Mikel Merino

Merino can play in various areas and is flexible in formation. With that being said, Merino prefers playing on the left side in the midfield (433) or more centrally in 442. His role and preference are more attacking than defending. He is in a need of having a more defensive minded midfielder to get the best out of him.

Merino’s Strong Attributes

Aerial duels: one of his strongest attributes is for how good he is in aerial duels, both offensively but also defensively. He wins a lot of duels if it becomes physical and he is 6’2.

Passing: He is also quite comfortable with his feet, leans a lot on his left foot though. He plays for the most part short passes, give and go on the left side. Can switch the ball if it becomes too tight. He is progressive passer.

Goal scoring opportunity: He is good at attacking spaces up front when the opportunity is there either from corners or him playing 12 and attacking inside the penalty area. He likes to take shots from outside of 16 meters which will give Arsenal another attacking threat.

Tackling: He is a harder worker and will tackle if he gets outpaced. This can go both ways though.

Experience: Not only will Arteta get a player who fits his profile type in a midfielder in terms of his technical ability, but also a player with experience in the highest level and a winner. Merino had an outstanding ending to his season in international stage, winning the Euros with Spain. Before that, Merino won UEFA national league, Spanish Cup (Copa Del Rey), European champion under-21 and European Champion under-19. Unlike the other signings Arsenal has made this summer, Merino is player who has seen it all. He is at an age now where his next logical step is to compete for titles on club level.

Area of improvement/weakness

Fouls: He has tendencies to commit silly fouls. Merino has the habit of getting unnecessary many yellow cards by pulling players or misjudging and tackling a player.

Lack of tempo: He can struggle against pacy, quick opponents as he is not the quickest player. His turning radius can let him down if the ball is played behind him.

How would he fit Arsenal

He would be the natural replacement for Xhaka. A player similar to his profile when it comes to work rate, creating chances, linking up with the left side of Arsenal’s attack (especially Martinelli) who has suffered because of the departure of Xhaka. With Merino, the left side will create overload when attacking with him and Martinelli. This could open up space for Merino to shoot from distance or open space for Martinelli to run behind the defensive line.

Grant Xhaka left a void in the 8 role, a position that was initially was intended for Havertz, but he lacks the passing and composure to excel in that position. Merino would slot in perfectly in that role as he has been molded in that position for the past few seasons.

Style of play

Merino’s style of play and what he is used to at Sociedad is similar of how Arteta’s sets up his Arsenal team. Heavily reliant on having the ball, keeping possession, quick passes in the final third and creating overload with the wingers, but also Ødegaard and at times Rice when he is playing more offensively.

For Merino, the adaptation time won’t be an issue as this is the style of play that has been implemented on national level, but also for Real Sociedad. Another factor is the chemistry with his former and current teammate, Martin Ødegaard. They played together in 2019/20 season. This will likely boost the adaptation process for Merino, having played with Ødegaard.

Arsenal are getting an experienced, strong midfielder to fill their left 8 hole in midfield that checks a lot of boxes, so Gooners should be excited about Merino this season.