Following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal have finally secured their second summer signing in Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
But who is the Spaniard, what will he bring to the side and why is he costing (up to) £32 million? Phil Costa reports.
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“Why do Arsenal want to sign a 28-year-old who flopped at Newcastle six years ago?” was a question posed online when initial whispers emerged regarding Mikel Merino. This is the same Mikel Merino who led that side for interceptions (2.3), possession regains (9.5) and passes attempted per 90 (55.7) that season, while only Mohamed Diamé (81.5%) had better pass accuracy than his 79.8% – according to Opta Analyst.
In fact, the club and thousands of Geordies were all desperate to keep him but there was a €12m release clause included into his contract set for Basque clubs only, which allowed Real Sociedad a free run at the then 22-year-old. According to Rafael Benitez who was manager at the time, he wouldn’t have joined the Magpies without it.
The midfielder has gone about his business fairly professionally in the six years since joining La Real but that doesn’t need to be a bad thing. From breaking through and becoming a regular starter at boyhood club Osasuna, there have been brave (and difficult) steps to Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle in between, all experiences which have helped him become the all-action player he is today.
Merino has referenced the weight of replicating his father at Osasuna, and how Thomas Tuchel drilled the importance of the basics into him at Dortmund despite struggling for minutes in Germany. More importantly, he spoke about how his time at Newcastle taught him how to “take hits” and navigate “men with enormous bodies”, with Spanish football mostly centred around tactics and appreciation for the ball.
326 – Mikel Merino won more duels (326) than any other player across the big five European leagues in 2023-24, while only Chris Ramos (174) won more aerials than Merino (168) in La Liga last term. Combative. pic.twitter.com/DfnM8lYkBg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2024
There’s only one place to start when analysing Merino. We’ve all seen the numbers, we’ve seen the graphics; he is a duel monster. Last season, he won 326 duels – more than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues – which sounds impressive until you realise that those numbers were chump change. Since his Real Sociedad debut in August 2018, he has won more duels (1663) than any other player across Europe’s top five leagues.
The 28-year-old is an extremely imposing figure, strong in the challenges, combative, and likes to be within those close quarters in midfield. He loves the scrap. That side of his game was shaped in England and crucially, is able to maintain his physical level throughout games; using his body smartly to engage contact, draw fouls and swat players aside when bumping shoulder to shoulder.
He isn’t particularly quick over long distances but when lasered in on a loose touch or pressing trigger, has a nice burst that surprises people. Merino made more tackles in the attacking third than any other La Liga player last season (18) which also makes him a considerable counter-pressing threat, and an ideal fit for a team who focus on forcing high turnovers – Arsenal attempted more shots following high turnovers (70) than any other Premier League side last season.
The Spaniard is also freakishly dominant in the air. Despite Real Sociedad usually preferring to build possession through the lines, they are never scared to play direct and Merino is a tactical unicorn in that sense. Only one midfielder (Raul Garcia – 10.7) competed in more aerial duels than his 10.1 per 90 last season; while nobody won more than his 6.1 per 90. That could come in very handy for a side who maximise their superiority in the air – both to escape a press and from set pieces.
He can also be effective in open play: only four midfielders across Europe scored more headed goals than Merino (3) last term, two of which (against Mallorca and Cadiz) were scored in a very similar fashion. Let’s just say late runs to the back post will be a thing.
🇪🇺 Top 7 League midfielders with the most aerial duels in 2023/24
Mikel Merino contested 110 (!) more than second-place
Aerial specialist ✈️
👉 https://t.co/yLUnW97J90 https://t.co/DifoTwpsI9 pic.twitter.com/LozyJSPb7E
— DataMB (@DataMB_) June 6, 2024
So what about in possession? I wrote earlier this month that one of the reasons Calafiori was signed, was to help revamp a disconnected left-hand side and the Spaniard should also help in that regard. Being a natural left footer helps to open up more natural angles and passing lanes, whereas last season the players used in that role – Rice, Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard – preferred to come inside and narrow the pitch.
There are valid concerns about the quality and precision of his passing – the Spaniard is a career 77% (ish) pass completion guy – so that rings early alarm bells, but context around those numbers is important.
He is a versatile distributor, comfortable receiving in all thirds of the pitch and adapts his selection based on what games require in specific moments. More often than not, he likes to be a hub in midfield, drifting into space and bouncing one-touch wall passes between teammates. But there is never any dallying on the ball. The midfielder is very touch-efficient, and looks to play within maximum three touches which ensures the game moves quickly but also explains occasional giveaways.
His progressive passing numbers (5.91 per 90) were a nice surprise when looking through the data, and again, he is always prepared to spring a fast break in transition should runners be proactive ahead of him – I’m looking at you, Martinelli. Merino is happy to welcome that responsibility of breaking teams open whether it’s a faded diagonal to switch play, cultured chip down the line or pass between full back and centre back.
But the speed in which he likes to operate also lets him down. The Spaniard is guilty of rushing in the final third and sometimes gets tunnel vision – opting for the runner he sees instantly – instead of waiting one or two seconds and seeing how play might develop. He can also be clunky, both in terms of his touches when turning and when overhitting passes which draw players wide or onto their weaker foot. He will need to neaten up in those critical moments but it doesn’t feel like a technique issue, more a patience and consistency of execution issue.
Mikel Merino – Chance Creation (La Liga 22/23) pic.twitter.com/Ig0xr9Qmgo
— 91 (@91cheefv2) July 26, 2024
When Kai Havertz swapped Chelsea blue for Arsenal red last summer, the idea of how the left eight role could evolve was an exciting one. Previously it was Granit Xhaka who after years of playing behind the ball, was pushed ahead of the ball and asked to exploit half spaces, provide more goal threat and facilitate both the inversion of Oleksandr Zinchenko and direct running of Gabriel Martinelli.
It didn’t immediately click with Havertz but the progression was obvious. Especially with a more mobile nine, he could arrive late in the box and burst in behind while also providing an aerial outlet and duel-winning ability in deeper areas. Ironically, Merino would be more analogous to how Xhaka played the role but with added perks of what Havertz brings – namely aerial ability and strength in the duel.
His arrival would also mean another midfield shake up, with Declan Rice being moved to number six on a more regular basis after spending the last six months as an eight. That offers Arsenal much-needed clarity moving forward with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both out of contract next summer. There is also potential for Merino to play alongside Rice in a more typical pivot, while being comfortable to drop in and even sit for him on occasion.
Mikel Merino – 23/24@mikelmerino1 pic.twitter.com/KxMMxycKJA
— GM10 (@GM10Media) July 21, 2024
I made similar conclusions when profiling Jorginho and Trossard eighteen months ago, that despite Arsenal’s recent success being centred around younger, more exciting recruits, you still need adults in the room. Both of those players came in and made their value known to the squad (and manager) very quickly, in terms of their consistency and plug-and-playability – Merino falls into that category as well.
The 28-year-old was reportedly open to extending his Real Sociedad contract but made it clear that if three specific clubs approached him, he would want to leave. Arsenal were one of those clubs. This is a huge opportunity for him personally and like any other player, will need time to adapt to new teammates, instructions and standards. Rice and Ben White have both spoken about the intense learning process when joining Arsenal and managing waves of information when playing under Arteta.
He won’t capture the imagination like some other names linked this summer, but there will be an expectation around Merino to come in and perform right away. The midfielder joins in the peak of his career, with experience, ambition and the boost of recent international success behind him. It’s a signing for the here and now, which brings a feeling of ease and familiarity that is often lost in potential.
The respective developments of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly should have been considered as well, who may not be ready to contribute right now but could be in two or three years, when Merino has hopefully done his job.
Personally, the fee (€33m + €5m) feels slightly heavy considering his age and contract length, but Real Sociedad are no mugs when it comes to negotiating and knew that Arsenal had little time to pivot elsewhere so late in the window. But it’s quite simple: those extra few million will be a non-factor if he comes in and delivers what’s needed to help push this team over the line.
In a squad already stacked with big, functional, technically accomplished bastards; there is certainly no harm in adding one more.
