In a press conference for the Spanish national team, midfielder Merino shared his experiences since joining Arsenal and expressed his willingness to take on the duties of his seriously injured teammate Rodney.
On the back-to-back serious injuries to Rodri and Carvajal, Merino said that both players are very important to the national team and their absence will be missed in the upcoming matches. But he also emphasized that there will always be such challenges in their careers and the players need to take care of themselves and do their best. At the same time, he also saw that this opportunity opens the door for other players who have performed well.
Speaking about his adjustment at Arsenal, Merino said he feels good, strong and happy to be with his teammates. He is excited about starting a new adventure and is eager to continue. Despite missing his first post-Euro call-up due to a fractured scapula, he remains positive.
When comparing the two leagues, La Liga and the Premier League, Merino believes that the Premier League is more physically confrontational, with faster transitions between offense and defense, while La Liga is more positional and tactical, with the team taking precedence over the individual. Although the styles are different, they are both very watchable.
In terms of how he would play in Rodney's position, Merino said he hasn't talked to Rodney specifically about it, but that he would be willing to play in that position if needed and would follow the coach's instructions.
Speaking about the different situations at Arsenal and Real Sociedad, Merino said that joining Arsenal was a very attractive project and that he felt the ambition of the coach, players and staff. He believes the two clubs share similar values and both want to progress and win. Although Real Sociedad have had a poor start, he appreciates the way they have worked and believes that it will take hard work and hardship to turn things around.
Speaking about his initial interaction with Arsenal manager Arteta, Merino said that Arteta is a coach who is passionate about his job, not only does he love tactics, but he is also good at managing a team. This passion has also infected him and made him passionate about his job as well.
As for future plans, Merino said that he prefers to live in the present and will not plan for the next few years. He enjoys his time at Newcastle United and doesn't turn anything away. He believes that more opportunities and challenges await him in the future.
Speaking about the intensive fixture schedule, Merino believes it has to be viewed from a holistic perspective. He believes that the players will feel the benefits of being at 100% form, which will lead to more exciting scenes and a higher level of play.
Finally, speaking about their next match against Denmark, Merino said that all the teams are at an incredible level and they need to be well prepared for the intense work. At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of team unity, stating that they will stick together and move forward.
