Why do Arsenal ACTUALLY want Mikel Merino?

Mikel Merino and Arsenal. A match not touted by many at the start of the summer transfer window, but one that looks increasingly more likely by the day. So, I made it my mission to scour through hours of Merino footage and come up with a complete scouting report on the Spaniard, looking at his profile, his tactical fit and usage by Mikel Arteta, and giving my own opinion on the signing in an in-depth tactical analysis.

Arsenal defeated Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 earlier today at the Emirates stadium.

One of Merino's most interesting aspects is how his temperament differs on the ball the further up the pitch he moves. He is obviously a duelling-phenom, and we cover the out of possession side in depth, as well as his goal scoring potential and relationship on the left-hand-side for the Gunners. AFC look to be trying to sign Merino for a fee around £25million, as Arteta looks to strengthen his midfield.

Mikel Merino has played for Real Sociedad in La Liga for 6 years, and this summer has also been linked with Hansi Flick and his FC Barcelona team. Previously he played for Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund.

Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations for the 2024/24 Premier League season with a game at the Emirates Stadium against Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, with Oleksadr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard scoring as this video is being uploaded! Kai Havertz also provided two assists. Granit Xhaka is also returning to the Emirates.

Some of the questions answered in this video involve how Mikel Merino interacts with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber, Jorginho, and many more!

David Raya, William Saliba, Declan Rice, and Aaron Ramsdale have all now returned to pre-season training after their extended breaks after the EUROS.

Other transfers Arsenal have been linked with is Joao Neves, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokores, Victor Osimhen, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Ruiz, Pedro Neto, Nico Williams, and more. Which other signings do they need to propel them to the Premier League title?

This channel covers the whole of the Premier League including Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, Manchester United, Eric ten Hag, Newcastle United, Eddie Howe, Aston Villa, Unai Emery, Liverpool, Arne Slot, Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, Tottenham Hotspur or Spurs, Ange Postecoglou, Brighton and Hove Albion, Fabian Hürzeler, West Ham United, Juan Lopetegui, the Champions League and much more!

[PCVMaxieB]

Other channels: yeah i don't know much about Merino sorry

Harvey, who takes pride in his work: I spent hours and hours scouting Merino to make a quality video

[williamcampbell]

You have enlightened me more about Merino. Thanks

[josephgeorge]

Thanks for this in depth analysis Harvey. I think this is the year we win the title. Hope to see more videos throughout the season

[TheKingSkillsBW]

I quickly cleared my schedule to focus on the Harvey Gration Masterpiece on another player!

Since your work in shining the light on Kai Havertz, I’ve not missed anything you say about any player!

Great work.🤝🏾💯

[herminio]

Great analysis, especially the duel winning in the 'frenzy' moments

[yonh]

really appreciate the work on this one, learnt a lot about not only Merino but the team as a whole. Great work Harvey!

[abekenola]

Never seen such a professional and intelligent content creator. Kudos guy

[footyfan]

Looks like we're going down the route of the big forward signing window.🤩

[nicholaschilembo]

Love the content. Always a refreshing view!

Hope we get Merino + an attacker

[woodyzzz]

Some of the best Arsenal content I've seen online. Fair play to you! Please keep it coming

[Manaman]

As always…..top top tier breakdowns 👌🏾! Can definitely see a solid bolstering of our left hand side that will make it difficult for teams to play through. The signing will also improve opportunities for Martinelli in behind, allowing him to utilise his decisiveness in front of goal a lot more this season.

[ceetee]

Another great piece, love what he could bring to the squad ( and teach the other players ) as long as his head is ‘squad’ I’m excited to watch home - as ever good work 👍

[raunakbhagwat]

SUBSCRIBED. What a video. Choice of words, flow of video, clarity of explanation. Im going to be a part of your journey. A new Arsenal Tactico emerges. YouTube beware

[ConSciousNesS-svhy]

Love the way you express yourself when narrating …👌🏽

[rakeshmehta]

Will calafiori invert like zinny did today do you think and carry ball forward with his running power can u also see him dropping into a 3 in defence like Lewis skelly has done ?

[TheKingSkillsBW]

Timber, Zinchenko and Calafiori will all excel playing with Merino at no8, all making the left side more dynamic like the right hand side!

Teams will really be worried who we start at LB now!

[AbdulmajeedDurojaiye]

Awesome video as always

Miss your contents while you were away.

[jumaolelah]

I love your contents always, i never miss any, keep it up

[shawnchong]

Merino is a versatile midfielder. He can play both the no.6 and no. 8 roles. He can deputise all positions across midfield for Partey, Rice or Odagaard. Fabio Vieira despite having two seasons with us has not proven that he can fill the void of Martin Odagaard nor Bukayo Saka. Thus, making the signing of Mikel Merino is ever so vital.

[wonderlabs_AI]

Love this sort of content. Great work Harvey.