A Summary of the Article
The Height of Success
Mikel Merino, Arsenal's 6ft 2in Spanish midfielder, has revealed that he feels like one of the smallest members of Mikel Arteta's squad, despite being a giant of a man at his former club, Real Sociedad. The 28-year-old has opened up about the physicality needed to play in the Premier League, stating that "it's crazy" how tall and imposing his new teammates are.
Arsenal's starting XI in their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday boasted nine players above six foot, with only Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard below that mark. The team's towering lineup is a testament to Arteta's mission to assemble a squad with both technical ability and powerful physiques.
A Basketball Team on the Pitch
Merino joked that Arsenal's team looks like a basketball team, with players like William Saliba, Kai Havertz, and Thomas Partey standing at 6ft 4in or above. The midfielder believes that physicality is key to success in the Premier League, but also emphasized the importance of mentality and technical ability.
"It's not only about being tall and big, you need mentality," Merino said. "If you are tall and big but don't go with the 100 per cent intention to win the ball, it's just nothing." The Spanish midfielder also highlighted the importance of set-pieces, stating that they can be a "big part of the game" and that Arsenal's physical advantage can be a major asset.
More Than Just Height and Strength
Arteta's vision for Arsenal goes beyond just physicality, however. The manager wants his midfielders to be complete players, with the ability to dominate duels, score goals, and control the game. Merino, who arrived at Arsenal in the summer for £27.4million, believes that he can be a threat in the opposition box and is working to improve his goal-scoring ability.
"That is one of the reasons I am here, because I can be a threat in the opposite box," Merino said. "That is something I need to work on to get better at. I have a high ceiling." The midfielder also spoke about his admiration for players like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Patrick Vieira, who were all-round midfielders with the ability to score, defend, and dominate games.
A Winning Mentality
Merino brings a winning mentality to Arsenal, having won the Euros with Spain and a German Cup with Borussia Dortmund. The midfielder believes that his experiences of winning can help Arsenal's young and talented squad, who are hungry for success but lack silverware.
"I've been lucky enough to win a lot of trophies in my career, I know the feeling," Merino said. "You cannot compare it with anything else. Knowing what this club is about and how big the Champions League is and winning trophies, winning the competition here would be amazing."
A Long Way to Go
Arsenal's defeat at Bournemouth was a setback, but Merino believes that the team has the basics, the players, and the mentality to achieve success. The midfielder knows that there is still a long way to go, but is confident that Arsenal can end their 20-year Premier League drought and win the Champions League for the first time.
