Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has been a curious participant since becoming a member of from Actual Sociedad in 2024, and it’s now believed he may depart the Gunners simply two years after his arrival.
The Spain worldwide’s greatest performances below Mikel Arteta have arguably come up entrance, with Merino doing extraordinarily effectively in an emergency striker function final season within the absence of each Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz.
His match-winning objectives towards Chelsea and Leicester Metropolis, alongside a late equaliser towards Liverpool in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Anfield, had been essential in serving to the Gunners comfortably safe Champions League qualification.
The Premier League title race was out of sight by that time, however Merino’s implausible contribution amid their dire lack of putting choices will at all times be remembered fondly by supporters .
Nonetheless, since dropping again into midfield, the 29-year-old hasn’t fairly been as efficient at occasions.
Throughout Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao within the Champions League earlier this week, Merino struggled in what was an ‘Odegaard-style’ function — seeing the ball even lower than goalkeeper David Raya in what was a 4/10 show.
Merino vs Bilbao | |
|---|---|
Minutes performed | 90 |
Touches | 40 |
Correct passes | 21/28 (75%) |
Key passes | 1 |
Correct crosses | 0 |
Pictures | 1 |
Dribbles | 0 |
Floor duels received | 2/6 |
Aerial duels received | 3/7 |
Possession misplaced | 11x |
Fouls | 3 |
Stats by way of Sofascore. | |
Each Rice and Merino misplaced the ball mixed 25 occasions towards Bilbao too, and proved ineffective creatively towards Liverpool previous to the worldwide break.
This all being stated, it is just the very begin of 2025/2026, and Merino’s began simply three video games in all competitions, making this newest declare on his future come as fairly a shock.
Arsenal getting ready £70m Oihan Sancet bid as Mikel Merino may depart
In accordance with a Spanish media supply, Merino may depart Arsenal subsequent summer season, and sporting director Andrea Berta is already getting ready a bid to signal Athletic Bilbao sensation Oihan Sancet to return in his place.
Curiously, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder was one of many Bilbao gamers to noticeably impress towards Arteta’s facet on Tuesday, following a stunning 2024/2025 marketing campaign the place he netted 17 objectives in 36 appearances throughout all competitions.
Arsenal are believed to already be getting ready a £70m bid for Sancet as they appear to seal his signing in 2026, regardless of having simply spent over £250 million on new recruits, together with a deal for England playmaker Eberechi Eze.
Oihan Sancet could be one other assertion signing for Arsenal
The actual fact he solely has 4 Spain worldwide caps is testomony to the abundance of high quality in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, and signing Sancet would come as yet one more assertion deal by Berta.
His objective return from midfield final time period was up there with the easiest in Europe, with teammate Yeray Alvarez calling him a “game-changer”.
“We witness him day in and day trip throughout coaching; he’s at all times smiling and brings such constructive vitality,” Alvarez stated.
“No hypothesis ought to come up about him. We’re totally conscious of Oihan’s potential. Personally, I consider he’s, if not the easiest, definitely among the best gamers Athletic has ever had and can have. He’s a game-changer, and we considerably want these objectives from him.”
