Mikel Merino is on his way to London to join Arsenal as a new summer signing. The Real Sociedad midfielder is on the verge of completing his Gunners move in what is a highly anticipated transfer.
The 28-year-old is expected to be Mikel Arteta’s final piece to the jigsaw that would help the team move to the next level. Most of the Spanish tactician’s team is sorted but he has struggled to find the link between Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Last season, Arteta tried Havertz in that hybrid #8 role but the German was much better off as the number nine and that is where he has started this season. Rice, as good as he is, does not prefer playing as the sole #6, due to his adventurous nature.
Arteta has found the perfect solution to this problem by signing Mikel Merino who can perfectly complement Rice in midfield. He will be an upgrade on existing options like Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
As good as the two have been when given a chance, Arsenal need someone of a different profile to push for the Premier League title and Mikel Merino can help Arteta out. The Spanish midfielder is technically astute but excels as a ball-winner in midfield. He is also a threat in both penalty boxes due to his aerial reach.
Arsenal make Merino splash as Fabio Vieira departs on loan
Understandably, when signings are made, sacrifices also need to be made. Merino’s arrival would create an overbooking of options in midfield and someone needed to be sacrificed. It looks like the player who needs to make way is Fabio Vieira.
As per David Ornstein, his ex-club FC Porto has reached an agreement to take him on loan for the season. The player has had a rather strange career at the Emirates, never really managing to break into the first team and struggling for minutes.
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🚨 EXCL: Porto agree deal to re-sign Fabio Vieira on loan from Arsenal. Not in #AFC squad for #AVFC as #FCPorto finalise move to bring midfielder back after 2022 sale. Merino arrival + Nwaneri rise reduces minutes & 24yo needs regular action @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/JG4XCr23p1
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 23, 2024
The arrival of Merino and the emergence of Ethan Nwaneri would have effectively shut out any minutes for him this season and at 24, he needs regular game time. A move to his former club will help the Portuguese star rediscover his form.
Vieira is too good a player to warm the benches of a club. He would be a starter for many other Premier League clubs. It so happens that we have Martin Odegaard, our captain who is the embodiment of consistency.
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Arsenal will be hoping that this Porto move could help Vieira get regular minutes under his belt. No one knows what the future holds for the player and who knows, an incredible season could earn him the chance to get minutes at the Emirates next season! Only time will tell us how this goes.
