3 reasons why Mikel Merino is a great midfield option for Arsenal

Expect Arsenal's summer transfer window to get moving following the conclusion of the summer's international action.

The presence of two major tournaments has led to a rather subdued start to a key window for the Gunners, but Mikel Arteta is well aware that the north Londoners cannot rest on their laurels in the transfer market if they're to usurp Manchester City at the top of the Premier League next season.

Arsenal don't require major surgery, but a couple of impactful additions are needed this summer. Reinforcements are expected to arrive in the middle of the park, and a name that's emerged as a legitimate option for the Gunners is Euro 2024 winner Mikel Merino.

The former Newcastle midfielder was often used off the bench by Luis de la Fuente this summer, but he'll long be remembered for his 119th-minute winner against Germany in the quarter-finals. Merino has forged quite the reputation with Real Sociedad, blossoming into one of La Liga's most consistent midfielders and the Telegraph reports that Arsenal's interest long pre-dates Euro 2024.

Here's why Merino is a great option for Arteta and this Arsenal team.

1. Granit Xhaka regen

Before returning to Germany, Xhaka enjoyed a standout final season at the Emirates from an advanced #8 position. The Swiss midfielder contributed regularly to the scoresheet and relished his newfound attacking freedom.

Arteta believed he could replace Xhaka with Kai Havertz, but the German struggled during the first half of the season in a midfield role before finding a new lease of life up top. Thus, the onus fell on Declan Rice to operate on the left side of Arsenal's midfield, although his role last season did differ slightly from Xhaka's, and the left-hand side suffered as a result.

If Arteta fancies reigniting the majestic dynamic of 2022/23, Merino is an apt Xhaka replacement. While the Spaniard could perform a holding role, he's been at his most effective while functioning as a box-to-box #8 in Imanol's 4-3-3 at Real Sociedad.

Left-footed like Xhaka, Merino boasts less of a threat from distance but is a much more natural box crasher. He racks up plenty of touches in the opposition box (2.93 per 90 last season - enough to rank in the 93rd percentile of all midfielders in Europe's top five leagues), with his winner against Germany for Spain this summer depicting his efficacy when arriving late into the area.

Overall, there is a stylistic contrast between Xhaka and Merino, but the 28-year-old could nonetheless shine in the role the Bayer Leverkusen man mastered in north London.

2. Impressive physical profile

I was bullish on Amadou Onana primarily because of his physical profile and ability in both boxes. Unfortunately, it's Aston Villa who'll be benefitting from the Belgian for years to come - not Arsenal.

Merino is no powerhouse like Onana, but he undoubtedly boasts a profile Arteta will appreciate. The Spaniard loves height, and the Spaniard stands at 6'2.

Thanks to his imposing frame, Merino is hard to miss in the middle of the park. He's as good as any midfielder in Europe in the air, with Merino's 5.99 aerial duels won per 90 last season sitting in the top 1% of midfielders from the continent's top five leagues.

He's strong in the tackle and is a ball recovery machine. In short, he could supply Arteta's Arsenal with the extra details. Merino's ability in the air and capacity to do the dirty work will be well appreciated by the Gunners boss.

The 28-year-old is not going to be physically overwhelmed, that's for sure.

3. Great value

Given the position are in, Arsenal shouldn't really be penny penching. They must be aggressive in the transfer market. However, there are opportunties that arise which can't be overlooked.

Merino is no supestar, but he's a functional midfield perfomer who could excel in a particular function within Arteta's framework. Given that he's entering the last year of his contract at Sociedad, Arsenal could pick him up for a mere £20m.

It's simply brilliant value, and if Arteta believes Merino can quickly develop into a reliable and consistent Premier League performer, why wouldn't the Gunners pull the plug?

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!