Arsenal can sign dream Mikel Merino teammate to unleash Martin Odegaard with £115m transfer

Arsenal have the perfect Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino incentive to complete a stunning £115million transfer. The duo have both played for Real Sociedad in the last few years and are now set to link back up at the Emirates Stadium, though their reunion on the pitch has been somewhat delayed.

The Spain international picked up a shoulder injury in his first training session with the issue severe enough to keep him out for at least six weeks. Because of that, Arsenal fans will have to wait before seeing them in the same midfield three, though Odegaard has suggested they should be excited about the pair eventually linking up.

“He’s a great player, a great person and I have no doubt he will be a really strong addition to the squad on and off the pitch,” the Arsenal captain told the club’s official website. “He’s a leader as well, he’s been through a lot in his career, has won things with Sociedad and also with Spain now, so he brings something different.

“The number of duels he wins is incredible and on top of that, he runs so much in every game. I had a great connection with him in Spain and we played very well together, so I’m really looking forward to playing with him again.”

Merino would likely be deployed as the left-sided No.8 with Odegaard’s preference to play on the right and Declan Rice or Thomas Partey behind them both. His arrival gives Arteta some midfield options with Kai Havertz capable of filling in and that may become his primary position if Arsenal complete a transfer that Odegaard and Merino will love.

Alexander Isak also spent time at Sociedad with Odegaard and Merino, which certainly suggests he would thrive in Arsenal’s system ahead of two of his former teammates. The Norway international has already shown the creative powers he possesses and a natural striker in the starting XI, that he knows well, could help unleash him further.

Newcastle’s exact asking price is unclear, though interested clubs have been quoted as low as £115million but that could alter depending on how Eddie Howe’s side get on this season and the potential financial ramifications.

If no European football is secured, Isak seeking an exit seems more likely with Odegaard and Merino hoping to showcase what he can achieve in north London. Securing his services will be a real challenge, especially given his clear admiration for Newcastle, but the Gunners will be hoping his ambitions outweigh his love for the club.