Mikel Merino Praises Arsenal’s Special Midfield Trio After Victory
Mikel Merino expresses confidence in Arsenal’s midfield after their first match together, highlighting their potential for success this season.
Arsenal, Mikel Merino, Champions League, Monaco, Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, London, England
London: Mikel Merino is really excited about Arsenal’s midfield. He thinks it’s special now that he, Martin Odegaard, and Declan Rice finally played together. They showed what they can do in the Champions League match against Monaco.
This was the first time the trio started together, and it felt great. Merino joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad last summer, hoping to fill the role that Granit Xhaka played so well. But he had a rough start with a shoulder injury that kept him out for over a month.
When he got back, Odegaard was also out with an ankle injury. So, it was tough for the team to find their rhythm. Even when Odegaard returned, Thomas Partey was doing well and kept his spot, but he had to play right-back against Monaco due to injuries in defense.
Finally, the three of them got to play together, and Merino felt really comfortable. He said they complement each other well and have different skills that work together. It’s all about getting to know each other’s playing styles better.
After their 3-0 win over Monaco, Arsenal is looking good in the Champions League, sitting third and on track to qualify for the knockout stage. They’re back in Europe’s top competition after a six-year break and made it to the quarter-finals last season.
Merino knows how tough it is to win the Champions League, especially with teams like Real Madrid dominating. He believes Arsenal needs to focus on the small details to succeed. He feels the team is maturing and can handle tough moments without panicking, which is a great sign for their future.