New signing Mikel Merino is set to be available to play in Arsenal’s next Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion.
Arsenal officially unveiled Merino as their new number 23 earlier today. The midfield maestro joins the Gunners on a four year contract with an option for a further year, following his €37 million move from Real Sociedad.
Reports have said that the Spaniard’s paperwork has been completed and his permit granted. Merino will be eligible to face Brighton on August 31 at the Emirates Stadium. The 28-year-old will no doubt get a warm reception from the Arsenal faithful prior to kickoff.
Mikel Arteta will be happy to finally get his transfer target. Merino was Arteta’s top transfer target for the midfield and has been linked with the Gunners for more than a month now. The former Real Sociedad star rejected two offers from La Liga, including one from Barcelona, to move to North London.
A full circle to Premier League
Merino, an academy graduate of Osasuna, made 63 appearances for their senior team in the Segunda Division. The Spaniard also had short stints at Borussia Dortmund and Premier League outfit Newcastle United before signing for Real Sociedad on a permanent deal in 2018. The midfielder has gone on to make 241 appearances for the La Liga side, scoring 27 goals and assisting a further 26.
The 28-year-old was called up for the 2024 European Championships and went on to make seven appearances for Spain, the eventual champions, in the tournament. Notably, he scored the late winner against Germany in the quarter-finals, nodding in a fantastic header from close range.
A box to box midfielder with an aerial threat
Merino fits the profile Arteta wants in his midfielders. The Spaniard is a goal-scoring midfielder who loves making runs into the opposition box. He averages 2.89 touches in the opposition box, placing him in the 93rd percentile compared to other midfielders in the big five leagues. Merino’s runs would complement Martin Odegaard’s style of play, with the captain being more of a playmaker. The 28-year-old is also an aerial threat which gives the Arsenal players a target man in the box to aim at.
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While Arteta is likely to start the trio of Declan Rice, Thomas Partey and Odegaard against Brighton, Merino may come off the bench in the second half to make his official debut for the Gunners.
