‘Unbelievable’… Mikel Merino says Arsenal do one thing that is ‘different to everywhere else’ in the world

Arsenal recruited a vastly experienced player in Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, who is now settling in at the club after his summer move from Real Sociedad.

Merino has only just made his debut for Arsenal after he picked up an injury in his first training session, but fans are already impressed by what they have seen.

Mikel Arteta signed Merino as a Euro 2024 winner with Spain, and one of La Liga’s most consistent midfielders over the past few seasons with La Real.

The 28-year-old arrives with Champions League experience under his belt, and has played in England with Newcastle before. It is clear that Arsenal signed him with the idea that Merino would bring a lot of expertise and experience to the squad.

However, despite playing for several clubs across three different countries, Merino has now claimed that his new Arsenal teammates do something he has never seen before, which is a testament to Arteta’s work at the club.

Mikel Merino praises Arsenal’s training intensity

Speaking to club media in Arsenal Colney Carpool, Merino was asked about the differences between training in Spain and at Arsenal, and the Spaniard revealed just how high the level in training is at the club.

“Very intense, very different,” Merino replied.

“I don’t think it’s only different to Spain, but I think it’s different to everywhere else.

“The methodology that they have here is unbelievable, not only on the pitch, but also in the gym.

“The work that they always put in, every member of the staff is always on top of us, just making sure that we have what we need to improve, and that is something that is unbelievable.”

When Mikel Merino could make his full Arsenal debut

Merino has already experienced the extreme intensity of Arsenal training, as a collision with Gabriel Magalhaes in his first session delayed his start to life at the Emirates.

The midfielder has appeared off the bench twice, against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, and in Arsenal’s victory over Southampton before the International break.

Merino performed well for Spain during the break, and with these extra minutes under his belt, he is now ready to start for Arsenal.

Arteta may choose to rotate against Bournemouth, which could see Merino make his first Arsenal start, ahead of a busy schedule domestically and in Europe.