Mikel Merino has promised to ‘struggle for each ball’ following his transfer to Arsenal.
The Spanish midfielder — who was part of La Roja’s Euro 2024-winning aspect over the summer time — joined the Gunners from Actual Sociedad on Tuesday in a switch that would attain a worth of £31.6m (per BBC Sport).
Merino will be part of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard in what has the potential to be one of the vital balanced and efficient midfield line-ups within the Premier League and Europe.
As said by Arsenal’s official web site, Merino received extra duels than some other participant throughout Europe’s ‘large 5’ leagues final season (326).
And reasonably than any Spanish aptitude or precision, it’s these battling qualities that Merino is wanting ahead to including to the Arsenal midfield.
“I feel that’s a giant a part of my recreation and that reveals the character that I’ve,” Merino stated. “I wish to struggle for each ball and that is one thing that I learnt once I was actually younger. Possibly you’ll be able to win it, otherwise you received’t. I’m not promising I’ll win each duel, however what I can promise is that I’ll struggle for each ball with 100 per cent.
“It’s all the time robust to speak about myself in these sorts of phrases, however I feel I’m a tough employee, I wish to name myself a very good teammate. I prefer to work for the group with or with out the ball. I’m all the time fascinated by the collective facet of the sport. I prefer to play with the ball, I’ve a Spanish tradition of soccer.”
Newcastle expertise a ‘large’ benefit for Mikel Merino
Counting the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Osasuna amongst his former golf equipment, Merino additionally already has expertise in England, making 25 appearances for Newcastle United within the 2017/18 marketing campaign.
And whereas his earlier style of English soccer wasn’t so savoury, Merino will look to make use of it to his benefit when adapting to his new environment on the Emirates.
“I feel will probably be large, due to how robust this league is in case you come as a brand new participant,” he added. “Possibly you don’t realise it till you attempt it. However proper now I’ve the concept of how this league is and the way robust each recreation is.
“Clearly speaking with teammates, or ex-teammates who’re right here, I understand how excessive the usual is correct now. You need to win each single recreation. I’ve slightly thought of the stadiums, the groups, the environment you might be about to anticipate, it’s all the time a bonus.”
