Mikel Merino on Arsenal’s ‘finishers’, Zubimendi’s impressive start and not writing off Man City | OneFootball

Arsenal’s latest showdown with Manchester City is already shaping up as one of the defining fixtures of the Premier League season, and Mikel Merino insists the Gunners have both the quality and mentality to beat their old title rivals again.

The Spanish midfielder has emerged as a key figure in recent weeks after beginning the campaign on the bench, but his message ahead of the clash is clear: don’t underestimate City.

“I think everyone’s gone a bit dramatic and said they’ve lost two games and they’re now not in the title race,” Merino said. “But there’s still a long way to go. This is the toughest league in the world, so it’s going to be hard for anyone to keep winning every single game. It’s just the beginning. It’s going to be a long league and City will be in the race for sure.”

That realism has been balanced by confidence. Arsenal’s 2-0 midweek win in Bilbao highlighted their strength in depth, with substitutes playing a decisive role. For Merino, the importance of ‘finishers’ is just as great as the starting XI.

“The guys who finished the game in Bilbao did a great job,” he said. “The finishers are as important as the guys who start. Every player wants to start, I’m not going to lie, but you have to have the right mindset, the right mentality. The Champions League match was a perfect example: two players come in, make a difference, and win the game. That’s the mentality we need towards the end of the season.”

Merino knows all about adapting to different roles, having been deployed as an emergency striker during Arsenal’s injury crisis last season. Now, with a much deeper squad, he believes competition for places is driving standards to new heights.

“Last season was very tough with the amount of injuries we had,” he explained. “This season we have a massive squad with lots of options in every position. Everybody’s pushing each other, and that makes the level higher. That’s what we want as a team, hopefully we can win big things all together by pushing each other.”

One of those new faces is Martin Zubimendi, who has settled quickly in midfield. “Very good player, very nice kid. I’m really happy to have him here. He’s made a massive impact from early on, and hopefully we keep seeing this version of him.”

City may be stuttering, but Merino’s warning is clear: Arsenal will need every ounce of their quality and togetherness to keep their rivals at bay.