Arteta turns to former club in bid to strengthen Arsenal midfield
FT Desk
- Updated: 11 Nov 2023 12:38 GMT
- 3 min read
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly considering a return to his hometown club as part of plans to shore up the middle for the Premier League giants.
The Gunners have made a solid start to the 2022-23 season and currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings after winning seven of their first 11 games.
But Arteta is keen to keep adding to his squad, particularly in the centre of midfield which is now a priority area.
Thomas Partey's thigh injury is expected to keep the Ghana international out of action until at least February, leaving Arsenal short of options in the middle.
But Arteta's former employers Real Sociedad might hold the solution.
According to Fichajes, Mikel Merino has emerged as a top alternative for Arsenal after shining for Real this season.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined the Basque side in 2018 from Newcastle United and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for them over the last five years, forming a stellar partnership in the engine room with Martin Zubimendi - another player who has caught Arsenal's eye.
Merino would not come cheap, however, with Real reportedly looking to raise more than €60 million from any sale.
Arteta's Real link
The Arsenal boss is a native of San Sebastian, home of Real Sociedad, and as a boy played in the team's feeder club Antiguoko alongside ex-Spain and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Prior to graduating to the Real set-up, though, Arteta was signed by Barcelona and moved to the La Masia academy, where he spent three years before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain and then Rangers.
Finally, in 2005, the midfielder clinched a move back home with Real, lasting just half a season before moving on again to the Premier League and Everton.
