Following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal have lastly secured their second summer season signing in Actual Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino.
However who’s the Spaniard, what’s going to he deliver to the facet and why is he costing (as much as) £32 million? Phil Costa studies.
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“Why do Arsenal wish to signal a 28-year-old who flopped at Newcastle six years in the past?” was a query posed on-line when preliminary whispers emerged relating to Mikel Merino. This is identical Mikel Merino who led that facet for interceptions (2.3), possession regains (9.5) and passes tried per 90 (55.7) that season, whereas solely Mohamed Diamé (81.5%) had higher cross accuracy than his 79.8% – in response to Opta Analyst.
Actually, the membership and hundreds of Geordies have been all determined to maintain him however there was a €12m launch clause included into his contract set for Basque golf equipment solely, which allowed Actual Sociedad a free run on the then 22-year-old. In line with Rafael Benitez who was supervisor on the time, he wouldn’t have joined the Magpies with out it.
The midfielder has gone about his enterprise pretty professionally within the six years since becoming a member of La Actual however that doesn’t must be a nasty factor. From breaking by way of and turning into an everyday starter at boyhood membership Osasuna, there have been courageous (and troublesome) steps to Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle in between, all experiences which have helped him change into the all-action participant he’s at the moment.
Merino has referenced the burden of replicating his father at Osasuna, and the way Thomas Tuchel drilled the significance of the fundamentals into him at Dortmund regardless of struggling for minutes in Germany. Extra importantly, he spoke about how his time at Newcastle taught him the right way to “take hits” and navigate “males with monumental our bodies”, with Spanish soccer principally centred round techniques and appreciation for the ball.
326 – Mikel Merino gained extra duels (326) than another participant throughout the large 5 European leagues in 2023-24, whereas solely Chris Ramos (174) gained extra aerials than Merino (168) in La Liga final time period. Combative. pic.twitter.com/DfnM8lYkBg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2024
There’s just one place to start out when analysing Merino. We’ve all seen the numbers, we’ve seen the graphics; he’s a duel monster. Final season, he gained 326 duels – greater than another participant throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues – which sounds spectacular till you realise that these numbers have been chump change. Since his Actual Sociedad debut in August 2018, he has gained extra duels (1663) than another participant throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues.
The 28-year-old is an especially imposing determine, sturdy within the challenges, combative, and likes to be inside these shut quarters in midfield. He loves the scrap. That facet of his recreation was formed in England and crucially, is ready to keep his bodily degree all through video games; utilizing his physique well to interact contact, draw fouls and swat gamers apart when bumping shoulder to shoulder.
He isn’t notably fast over lengthy distances however when lasered in on a free contact or urgent set off, has a pleasant burst that surprises folks. Merino made extra tackles within the attacking third than another La Liga participant final season (18) which additionally makes him a substantial counter-pressing menace, and a perfect match for a group who concentrate on forcing excessive turnovers – Arsenal tried extra pictures following excessive turnovers (70) than another Premier League facet final season.
The Spaniard can also be freakishly dominant within the air. Regardless of Actual Sociedad often preferring to construct possession by way of the strains, they’re by no means scared to play direct and Merino is a tactical unicorn in that sense. Just one midfielder (Raul Garcia – 10.7) competed in additional aerial duels than his 10.1 per 90 final season; whereas no one gained greater than his 6.1 per 90. That would are available in very helpful for a facet who maximise their superiority within the air – each to flee a press and from set items.
He can be efficient in open play: solely 4 midfielders throughout Europe scored extra headed targets than Merino (3) final time period, two of which (towards Mallorca and Cadiz) have been scored in a really comparable trend. Let’s simply say late runs to the again publish might be a factor.
🇪🇺 Prime 7 League midfielders with probably the most aerial duels in 2023/24
Mikel Merino contested 110 (!) greater 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 many causes Calafiori was signed, was to assist revamp a disconnected left-hand facet and the Spaniard must also assist in that regard. Being a pure left footer helps to open up extra pure angles and passing lanes, whereas final season the gamers utilized in that function – Rice, Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard – most well-liked to return inside and slender the pitch.
There are legitimate considerations in regards to the high quality and precision of his passing – the Spaniard is a profession 77% (ish) cross completion man – in order that rings early alarm bells, however context round these numbers is essential.
He’s a flexible distributor, comfy receiving in all thirds of the pitch and adapts his choice based mostly on what video games require in particular moments. As a rule, he likes to be a hub in midfield, drifting into area and bouncing one-touch wall passes between teammates. However there may be by no means any dallying on the ball. The midfielder may be very touch-efficient, and appears to play inside most three touches which ensures the sport strikes shortly but in addition explains occasional giveaways.
His progressive passing numbers (5.91 per 90) have been a pleasant shock when trying by way of the information, and once more, he’s at all times ready to spring a quick break in transition ought to runners be proactive forward of him – I’m you, Martinelli. Merino is comfortable to welcome that accountability of breaking groups open whether or not it’s a light diagonal to modify play, cultured chip down the road or cross between full again and centre again.
However the velocity by which he likes to function additionally lets him down. The Spaniard is responsible of speeding within the closing third and typically will get tunnel imaginative and prescient – choosing the runner he sees immediately – as a substitute of ready one or two seconds and seeing how play may develop. He can be clunky, each when it comes to his touches when turning and when overhitting passes which draw gamers extensive or onto their weaker foot. He might want to neaten up in these vital moments but it surely doesn’t really feel like a way subject, extra a endurance and consistency of execution subject.
Mikel Merino – Likelihood Creation (La Liga 22/23) pic.twitter.com/Ig0xr9Qmgo
— 91 (@91cheefv2) July 26, 2024
When Kai Havertz swapped Chelsea blue for Arsenal purple final summer season, the thought of how the left eight function might evolve was an thrilling one. Beforehand it was Granit Xhaka who after years of enjoying behind the ball, was pushed forward of the ball and requested to take advantage of half areas, present extra objective menace and facilitate each the inversion of Oleksandr Zinchenko and direct operating of Gabriel Martinelli.
It didn’t instantly click on with Havertz however the development was apparent. Particularly with a extra cell 9, he might arrive late within the field and burst in behind whereas additionally offering an aerial outlet and duel-winning capability in deeper areas. Mockingly, Merino can be extra analogous to how Xhaka performed the function however with added perks of what Havertz brings – specifically aerial capability and energy within the duel.
His arrival would additionally imply one other midfield shake up, with Declan Rice being moved to quantity six on a extra common foundation after spending the final six months as an eight. That provides Arsenal much-needed readability shifting ahead with Thomas Partey and Jorginho each out of contract subsequent summer season. There’s additionally potential for Merino to play alongside Rice in a extra typical pivot, whereas being comfy to drop in and even sit for him once in a while.
Mikel Merino – 23/24@mikelmerino1 pic.twitter.com/KxMMxycKJA
— GM10 (@GM10Media) July 21, 2024
I made comparable conclusions when profiling Jorginho and Trossard eighteen months in the past, that regardless of Arsenal’s latest success being centred round youthful, extra thrilling recruits, you continue to want adults within the room. Each of these gamers got here in and made their worth identified to the squad (and supervisor) in a short time, when it comes to their consistency and plug-and-playability – Merino falls into that class as effectively.
The 28-year-old was reportedly open to extending his Actual Sociedad contract however made it clear that if three particular golf equipment approached him, he would wish to depart. Arsenal have been a type of golf equipment. This can be a big alternative for him personally and like another participant, will want time to adapt to new teammates, directions and requirements. Rice and Ben White have each spoken in regards to the intense studying course of when becoming a member of Arsenal and managing waves of knowledge when enjoying below Arteta.
He gained’t seize the creativeness like another names linked this summer season, however there might be an expectation round Merino to return in and carry out immediately. The midfielder joins within the peak of his profession, with expertise, ambition and the enhance of latest worldwide success behind him. It’s a signing for the right here and now, which brings a sense of ease and familiarity that’s usually misplaced in potential.
The respective developments of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly ought to have been thought-about as effectively, who will not be able to contribute proper now however could possibly be in two or three years, when Merino has hopefully performed his job.
Personally, the price (€33m + €5m) feels barely heavy contemplating his age and contract size, however Actual Sociedad are not any mugs in relation to negotiating and knew that Arsenal had little time to pivot elsewhere so late within the window. Nevertheless it’s fairly easy: these additional few million might be a non-factor if he is available in and delivers what’s wanted to assist push this group over the road.
In a squad already stacked with huge, practical, technically completed bastards; there may be definitely no hurt in including yet one more.
