The player Mikel Merino is expected to start in place of Mikel Arteta in the starting lineup has already been disclosed by Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.
The future acquisition of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad has been praised by Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, who sees it as a wise decision to strengthen the midfield.
The Spain international is exactly what Mikel Arteta needs to bolster his midfield engine room.
Even though Arteta set a club record last summer when he signed Declan Rice from West Ham, he has a smaller budget this transfer window. Following his £42 million acquisition of defender Riccardo Calafiori, Arteta is now more concerned with the midfield.
Arsenal lacks options in central midfield despite the signing of a new 12-month contract by the seasoned Jorginho. This is due to Thomas Partey’s uncertain future. Partey has been linked to a move to the Saudi Pro League after struggling in Wednesday’s preseason loss to Liverpool.
Mikel Merino, who has one more year on his deal, is an affordable answer to Arsenal’s midfield dilemma. Partey may be vulnerable given the impending arrival of the former Newcastle player, Parlour claims.
“You look at Thomas Partey,” Parlour told talkSPORT. “He might be on his way, so they do need a little bit of strengthening in that midfield to give Declan Rice more license to go forward. I like the box-to-box players like Bryan Robson back in the day.
“It’s just using common sense as a midfielder; if someone runs past you, you just fill in for them. Merino is a good age—at 28, he’s perfect and should be in his prime. At £25 million, that’s a decent deal. They’ve got a good relationship with Real Sociedad with Tierney going there.”
Meanwhile, Ethan Nwaneri could offer an internal solution to Arsenal’s midfield shortage following an impressive performance during the team’s tour of America. Speaking about the teenager’s chances of featuring prominently this season, Arteta praised Nwaneri after last week’s win over Manchester United.
“It’s always in the hands of the players, so show what you can do. Show that ambition, that determination, that quality, and things will happen naturally. Tomorrow he’s going to train with us again, and if he continues to play like that, he’s going to play some minutes on Wednesday for sure,” Arteta said.
