Mikel Merino to Arsenal looks to be a matter of time with the Real Sociedad midfielder closing in on a switch to the Emirates. Although the Spaniard is yet to be officially announced by the Gunners, it’ll be a huge surprise if the deal doesn’t go through from here and Mikel Arteta looks set to get his preferred midfield target.
The 28-year-old Spaniard is quite underrated at what he does. An excellent duelist, Merino win most of his ground and aerial challenges. Excellent awareness defensively, he positions himself at the right place at the right time to intercept opposition attacks. He is also a goal threat in the box from set-pieces.
Merino might not have been a regular starter for Luis de la Fuente’s team in the recently concluded Euros but he had an excellent impact off the bench. He scored Spain’s winner in extra time against Germany in the quarterfinals but also helped close out games in the semifinals and the finals.
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There is one midfield spot at Arsenal that is up for the taking. Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice are nailed in for two of the three midfield roles but the third one is still unclaimed and there is a musical chair going on amongst the contenders for the role. Should Merino come in, he could make the job his own.
What shirt number could Merino take at the Emirates?
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Merino might be #8 on the pitch but he does not have the option of taking that number at the Emirates. Captain Martin Odegaard wears that number, making it quite impossible for the Spaniard to stake a claim for it. Interestingly, Odegaard has previously played with Merino together at Real Sociedad during his year on loan at the club.
The 28-year-old wears the #8 with the Basque club and the #6 with the Spanish international team. The first number that Merino could take with the Gunners is the #10 which is currently vacant after Emile Smith-Rowe left for Fulham. It is a prestigious jersey number usually worn by a playmaker in the team. It is a number that would suit Odegaard perfectly but could find a home with Merino going forward. A player with as much technical ability as Merino should be worthy of the #10 jersey.
The other numbers that Merino has worn in his career are #23, #24 and #32 for the clubs he has played at. 23 is currently with Albert Sambi Lokonga who is currently out on loan at Sevilla and 24 is with Reiss Nelson. That leaves 32 as the next possible vacant number that Merino might take.
There is a high chance of seeing Merino in a #10 Arsenal jersey in the upcoming season. Only time will tell us what he chooses but the priority is confirming his transfer and bringing him to the Emirates as soon as possible.
