Mikel Merino 'inspired' by Arsenal message which convinced him to seal £31.6m transfer

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Evening Standard

·28 August 2024

Mikel Merino 'inspired' by Arsenal message which convinced him to seal £31.6m transfer

Spanish midfielder arrived from Real Sociedad on Tuesday

New Arsenal signing Mikel Merino believes he can help the Gunners get over the line in the title race after two near misses.

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Merino completed his move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal yesterday, arriving as part of a deal worth £31.6million and signing a four-year contract.

The 28-year-old says it was an “easy decision” after being sold the project by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu.

The pair underlined Arsenal’s ambition to win major trophies after finishing second to Manchester City in the Premier League in each of the past two seasons.

“I wouldn’t move to a club that are not aligned with my desires,” Merino said. “What I want is to grow, to win, to fulfil my dreams and I think this club has the same mentality.

“The standard is at the highest level, they put it there with two amazing seasons. They were so close to winning the league two times.

“The thing that inspires me a lot is they keep doing it. They are keeping the hunger, they won’t give up and I want to come here and help them achieve their goals.

“It was an easy decision because of the past years, how big the club is, but also the ambition you could see, not only watching the games, but as well talking to Edu, talking to Mikel when they explained the process that they have been doing and the way they have been doing things.

“That makes it easier for you to decide because you see the hunger and you see the ambition, how they want to win.

“Me as a player, I want that in my career. I want to keep growing and winning is the main thing for me. So I think it’s the perfect match, now it’s time to get to work, the part I love doing, and hopefully everything goes well.”