Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called Mikel Merino a “winner” after the midfielder completed a £31.6 million transfer to the Gunners from Real Sociedad on a four-year deal.
Former Newcastle loanee Merino could make his debut at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday (12.30pm BST).
“Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility,” Arteta said of the 28-year-old Uefa Euro 2024 champion with Spain.
“He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.”
Arsenal have agreed to pay an initial £27.4m plus £4.2m in add-ons for Merino, who produced 27 goals and 30 assists in 242 appearances for the Spanish club.
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Merino: Arsenal transfer ‘team effort’
“Mikel was a key target for us this summer and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us,” said Arsenal Sporting Director Edu.
“He brings us an added high quality of experience, physicality and athleticism… this has been another great team effort from many people at the club to finalise the transfer of a player who attracted interest from a number of clubs over the summer.”
Former Spain midfielder Arteta added that he “can’t wait” to start working with his third signing of the summer, following in the footsteps of goalkeeper David Raya and defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Mikel Merino stats
Merino’s total of 326 successful duels won was the most for an individual in a major European league last season, 40 ahead of next-nearest player Bruno Guimaraes, of Newcastle.
At 6ft 2in, Merino, who was briefly borrowed from Borussia Dortmund by the Magpies in 2017-18, is a threat from set pieces and scored eight times as Sociedad finished sixth in the 2023-24 La Liga.
He also scored the third-latest winning goal in a Euro game, netting in the 118th minute of Spain’s 2-1 win over hosts Germany in this year’s quarter-finals.
Merino featured in all of Spain’s matches at the tournament, coming on as a substitute during their 2-1 victory against England in the final.
