Arsenal Agree to Sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad: What This Means for the Gunners

Arsenal are poised to complete the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad after the Spanish club accepted an offer for the Spain midfielder worth over £32m. Negotiations for the 28-year-old have been ongoing for several weeks, with Sociedad’s president insisting that Arsenal must meet their asking price for the midfielder.

The deal is expected to be finalised subject to a medical. It will be a significant coup for Arsenal, who are looking to bolster their midfield after the departure of Granit Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen last summer. Mikel Merino has already made a name for himself in La Liga, playing for clubs like Osasuna, Borussia Dortmund, and Newcastle United, before making a name for himself at Real Sociedad.

Merino's Impact on Arsenal

Merino’s arrival is expected to help lessen the burden on Arsenal's midfield, who have been under pressure to perform at a consistently high level as the games stack up. Merino is a dependable figure who has averaged over 40 appearances per season across his six years with Real Sociedad. He is comfortable playing in the left half-space, where Xhaka used to reside, although he is more of a box-to-box athlete than a tempo-setter from deep.

Merino’s versatility is another asset that will be valuable to Mikel Arteta, as he can also play in a more attacking role, or even as a defensive midfielder. This will give Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta more options in midfield and will allow him to rotate his players more effectively.

The deal will be seen as a shrewd piece of business by Arsenal. They have managed to secure a player who is in his prime and who has experience playing in the Champions League. Merino also has a good track record of scoring and assisting goals, which is something that Arsenal have been lacking in recent years.

Merino's Success at Real Sociedad

The heatmap below not only shows the extent of the ground he covers but also his increasing tendency to drop into those holes on the left to receive the ball from his team-mates. Real Sociedad’s success after Merino’s arrival in 2018 was spearheaded by two current Premier League stars: Alexander Isak (now of Newcastle) and, intriguingly, Arsenal’s present captain Martin Odegaard.

Imanol Alguacil’s side would generally settle into a 4-3-3 shape in possession, with past and future team-mates Odegaard and Merino combining as the two advanced No 8s ahead of Igor Zubeldia. Odegaard, who was on loan from Real Madrid at the time, created nine chances for Merino in the 2019-20 season — the third-most prolific partnership in the team — while Merino made 375 passes into the attacking third in La Liga matches, more than any outfield player in the entire division.

Where Does This Leave Arsenal's Midfield?

In Arsenal’s current system, the two are likely to have the freedom to combine in much the same way. This will be a welcome addition to Arsenal's midfield, as it will give them more depth and flexibility in the middle of the park. It remains to be seen how Arteta will integrate Merino into his starting XI, but it is clear that the midfielder will be a valuable asset to the Gunners.

With the addition of Merino, Arsenal are now well-placed to challenge for the Premier League title again next season. The Gunners have a strong squad, and with the arrival of the midfielder, they are now one of the most exciting teams in Europe. It will be fascinating to see how Merino performs in the Premier League, and how Arsenal fare under Arteta's guidance in the 2024-25 season.

Looking Ahead: Arsenal's Transfer Window

As for the future, Arsenal will be looking to make a few more signings before the transfer window closes. A striker is a priority, and the club is also looking to strengthen their defense. They are currently in talks with Nottingham Forest for the transfer of Eddie Nketiah, while also considering other options for a striker.

The arrival of Merino is a sign of Arsenal's intent to challenge for all trophies next season. The club is clearly ambitious, and they are willing to invest in their squad to make that ambition a reality.

Final Thoughts: What's Next for the Gunners?

The Gunners have a strong squad, and with the arrival of Merino, they are now one of the most exciting teams in Europe. It will be fascinating to see how Merino performs in the Premier League, and how Arsenal fare under Arteta's guidance in the 2024-25 season.

Arsenal fans will be hoping that the club can build on their success from last season, and that they can challenge for the Premier League title again next season.