On the evening of August 27, Beijing time, Arsenal FC officially announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Merino from Real Sociedad. This transfer not only adds new vitality to Arsenal's lineup, but also allows Merino to realize his childhood dream. In an official interview with the club, Merino expressed his excitement about joining Arsenal and his outlook for the future.
Merino began by talking about the characteristics of his game, emphasizing that he is a player who fights for every possession. "I think that's a big part of my game and it reflects my personality." He said, "Maybe you can't guarantee that you're going to win every game, but what I can guarantee is that I'm going to give it my all and fight for every possession." This hard work and hustle will undoubtedly add more energy and fight to Arsenal's midfield.
Reflecting on his career, Merino mentioned that he has experience playing in the Premier League having played for Newcastle United in the 2017-18 season. "It's going to be a huge step up because I know how tough this league is." He confessed, "But I now have a better understanding of this league and how tough each game is. Talking to my teammates or ex-teammates has made me realize how high the standards are in the Premier League." This familiarity with the Premier League will help Merino integrate into Arsenal's tactical system more quickly.
Speaking about his teammates at Real Sociedad, Merino singled out Ödgör and Tierney. "Ödgö told me that he was very happy for me to take the next step in my life." Merino said, "It was really great to play with him on the pitch and I have a lot of good memories from our connection." He is also looking forward to working with Tierney and believes that the two will form a silent partnership in Arsenal's midfield.
In addition, Merino revealed the fact that he was an Arsenal fan as a child. "The first shirt I owned was an Arsenal shirt." He smiled and said, "I won't move to a club that doesn't fit my ideas. What I want is to grow, win and fulfill my dreams. I think Arsenal FC has the same mentality and quest." This deep feeling and identification with Arsenal will motivate him to give his best for the team in the new season.
Merino also had high praise for the way head coach Arteta and the team work. "I talked to Arteta and he told me about the way they work, and I like the way it works." He said, "I think it's the perfect match. Now it's time to get to work and that's the part I like to do. I hope everything goes well."
Finally, Merino expressed his outlook on Arsenal's future. "What touches me the most is their constant desire to win and their never-give-up spirit." He said, "I want to come here to help them achieve their goals. They have a great team and squad and I can see they have great facilities at their training ground and great staff around them. So I think it's the best combination. Hopefully we can do great things together this year."
