Advertisement

Mikel Merino reveals two reasons that convinced him to complete Arsenal transfer

mark wakefield
·2-min read
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino
-Credit: (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)


Mikel Merino has explained how Mikel Arteta convinced him to leave Real Sociedad and sign for Arsenal.

The Gunners agreed a deal worth up to €37.5million (£31.3million) for the signing of the Spain international during the summer transfer window.

Merino was signed with the intention of competing for a midfield spot in the Arsenal squad that includes the likes of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri.

READ MORE: Man City reach Erling Haaland contract impasse in latest Arsenal title race distraction

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta told honest Emile Smith Rowe Arsenal transfer truth as buy-back clause explained

So far, Merino has made nine appearances for Arsenal after missing the first two months of the season with a shoulder injury but is now a regular name on the teamsheet for Arteta.

Arsenal were heavily linked with signing the 28-year-old for weeks before the midfielder eventually moved to the Emirates Stadium, and now he has opened up on why he decided to make the switch to North London.

Merino has experience of previously playing in the Premier League with Newcastle United, and the 28-year-old has revealed the two factors that Arteta told him that convinced him to sign for Arsenal last summer.

“I was seduced by the fact that it was a team in a process of growth, that they had not yet won, and they wanted to win," Merino said in an interview with El País. "Feeling a participant in building a winning culture, as happened to me at Real.

“And also, that they insisted that they could help me grow more. It will be a place where they will try to help you polish your defects and become that total player who can achieve more things on an individual level.”

Merino is currently with the Spain squad for the final round of Nations League group stage fixtures of the calendar year. The midfielder will return to London Colney next week ahead of Arsenal's clash against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates in the Premier League.