Mikel Merino knows Arsenal will have to be on full alert across both games against Real Madrid if they want to keep their formidable front four quiet and progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
The Gunners host the defending champions in the first-leg of their last-eight tie tomorrow night and much will depend on how Arsenal handle Madrid’s attacking threat of Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham.
Their task has been made harder by the absence of key central defender Gabriel and Merino knows concentration will be key.
He told Marca: “Their level is incredible, physically and in terms of quality. At first it was hard for them to connect everyone, but now they have made a connection with each other.
“If you switch off for a second, if you don’t get the marking correct, they can find space and punish you. We have a lot of respect for them, but without fear.”
📰 Table Of Contents
Merino highlights Rodrygo as the dangerman
Of Madrid’s attacking quartet, it is the least heralded that Merino has the most admiration for.
Asked who he would most like to play with, the Spain international said: “It’s hard to say one, but maybe I’d say Rodrygo. I’m not saying he’s undervalued, but he’s a player I really like: fast, physical, technical, he has a great one-on-one, he’s good with spaces. Very complete.”
Madrid have garnered a reputation in the Champions League for grinding out wins no matter the circumstances, particularly at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Merino knows that is something Arsenal will have to contend with in the return fixture next week.
He said: “When the draw came out, I spoke to some of my [international] team-mates from Madrid but nothing in great detail.
“The Bernabéu has always had that energy and it is something that must be taken into account to be focused until the final minute, whether it is 90 or 120 in the second leg.
“That stadium and that team always believe and have confidence until the end. For us it is essential to control that chaos in the final minutes.”
✈️👋 Time to fly!@Zegna | #RealMadridxZegna pic.twitter.com/hYZWeqrVIf
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 7, 2025
Merino enjoying unfamiliar centre-forward role
Merino has been deployed in an unfamiliar centre forward role this season due to injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz and has impressed, scoring seven times in 34 games.
The 28-year-old, who will play tomorrow night despite ending Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Everton with a bandaged head, has enjoyed the experience and admitted he has surpassed even his own expectations.
“Yes, it has been somewhat surprising even for me to be able to contribute so much as a striker,” he said.
“I always had that scoring ability inside, and I even think I could have exploited it more in my career, but I didn’t know that up to this current point.
“I feel comfortable in the position and the quality of my team-mates helps a lot, because they always put the ball in the right place.
“I have adapted well because I also listen to my coaches. Not even I thought I was a number nine, but Mikel [Arteta, his coach] trusted me for this new role and it’s going well for now. It’s less and less surprising.”
Mikel Merino: Top Three 🎬
Our Spaniard names some of his favourite goals 🎯 pic.twitter.com/L8nzcENJuC
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 6, 2025
Arsenal will need to use brains as well as brawn – Merino
Merino says Arsenal will have to be “smart” to get past Madrid.
“It will depend a lot on how the game is, the physicality, the time, etc,” he added.
“The mentality is to win and dominate, but we must adapt to the type of game. You don’t always play the way you want, and you have to be smart. We will adapt to one style or another.”
