Arsenal star confirmed vs Lyon that Arteta already has his personal Merino

Forward of the opening week of the Premier League season in 2023/24, Arsenal had confirmed all of their enterprise.

Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and David Raya had been all now donning the well-known crimson and white. This time round, although, it has been a a lot slower affair.

Riccardo Calafiori was confirmed in the course of the US tour nevertheless it took till Sunday for supporters to see their first glimpse of the brand new defender.

The Italian has had just a little interval of adaptation however got here off the bench to raucous applause in opposition to Lyon this weekend, a recreation the Gunners gained 2-0.

It wasn’t the identical free-flowing show as we received within the 4-1 win over Leverkusen however two set-piece targets from William Saliba and Gabriel had been sufficient as Arsenal flexed their muscle mass from corners as soon as once more.

Arsenal now have six days to organize for his or her opening conflict of the season with Wolves, however will we see another new faces by then? Rumours surrounding Mikel Merino proceed to swirl.

The newest on Merino to Arsenal

It feels as if the saga revolving across the Actual Sociedad midfielder has been happening for weeks now.

Talks have taken place and it did look as if they had been closing in on a transfer as of final week. Nonetheless, the newest on that deal is that Arsenal nonetheless have some work to do to conclude a deal.

That is in accordance with Fabrizio Romano who talking this weekend mentioned: “Mikel Merino deal is similar to the deal of Riccardo Calafiori – remaining talks ongoing with Sociedad concerning fee construction. Nonetheless some work to do for Arsenal.”

A charge of round £25m has been mooted in latest days. That might make this deal a substantial cut price for Edu and Co.

Arteta’s reply to Merino

As Arsenal concluded their pre-season matches with an Emirates Cup triumph in opposition to Lyon, a couple of gamers stood out.

Gabriel and Saliba had been as imperious as you’d anticipate, each netting from corners taken by a sure Rice.

Rice was the topic of unwarranted criticism as England reached the ultimate of Euro 2024 earlier this summer time.

Taking part in as a holding midfielder alongside Kobbie Mainoo for almost all of the event, he did not get into his rhythm and was left to battle in Gareth Southgate’s system, one that did not actually cater to the ahead considering and progressive play that Rice confirmed in his debut marketing campaign at Arsenal.

Effectively, in his first begin since that event in Germany, the previous West Ham captain confirmed his true colors once more.

Progressive in his play and inventive from that quantity 8 place, he registered two assists and dictated issues nicely within the centre for the Gunners. It is exceptional to assume that primarily based on his set-piece supply right here, and certainly final season, he didn’t take corners for England.

Rice registered career-best numbers in 2023/24, scoring seven occasions and choosing up ten assists, the overwhelming majority of which got here from set-plays.

His all-round recreation was current in opposition to Lyon this weekend, profitable 100% of his aerial battles and finishing his one and solely dribble.

It is that multi-faceted method – notably the flexibility to win duels from the left-hand facet of the pitch – that proves Arsenal maybe have already got their reply to Merino.

The concept’s been proposed for the reason that rumours started is that the Euro 2024 winner will play because the 8, that means Rice strikes additional again.

Nonetheless, as we noticed final time period, he’s maybe even higher in offensive areas with the likes of Jorginho or because it was on Sunday, Thomas Partey, behind him.

So, in what manner is Rice like Merino?

Effectively, the membership’s file purchase has a couple of related statistics from final season when evaluating the 2 midfielders.

As we are able to see, in some essential metrics for that no.8 position, they’re very alike. Defensively they win the same variety of tackles and in the case of some passing numbers, they’re very a lot on par.

Apparently, it is Merino who comes out on prime for tried take-ons, an space Rice thrived in when marauding ahead final season.

This is not to say that Mikel Arteta ought to now ignore signing the Actual Sociedad man however the knock-on impact it might have on their £105m signing must be thought of.