Arsenal star Mikel Merino has lifted the lid on life on the Emirates Stadium beneath his namesake Mikel Arteta forward of internet hosting Actual Madrid.
With Arsenal’s season successfully hinging on their quarter closing double header towards Los Blancos, Merino is about to play a key function, main the Arsenal assault.
Arteta opted to relaxation membership captain Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka from the beginning in Arsenal’s 1-1 weekend Premier League draw at Everton with the latter solely simply again from a long-term damage.
Arsenal’s lack of central attacking choices means Merino is about to begin in that function towards Carlo Ancelotti’s guests with the Basque star having fun with a robust run of objective scoring kind as an surprising centre ahead.
With Raheem Sterling suspended, Merino, Saka and one in every of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard ought to begin, with former Los Blancos star Odegaard in midfield.
After opting to make a summer season transfer away from Actual Sociedad, to belatedly settle for Arteta’s drive to convey him to North London, Merino has been impressed by his fellow Basque native.
“It’s been a pleasant 12 months right here at Arsenal. I’m seeing issues I’ve by no means labored on earlier than in my profession, and it’s serving to me to find out about soccer and develop,” as per reviews from Mundo Deportivo.
“Arteta is a really full coach. He’s taken the very best from Pep Guardiola, and you may see that interval he had with him right here in observe at Arsenal daily.
“The thought is for us to be a dominant staff, that carries the load of the sport, and doesn’t let the opponent have the higher hand.
“We need to subdue them and significantly restrict their assaults. I feel he additionally has his personal touches, his methodology and that’s what the very best do – take the very best from every function they’ve labored in.
“I feel he’s, if not the very best, undoubtedly among the best coaches on this planet.”