'I was seduced by Arsenal' admits summer signing

Cameron Smith

• 17 Nov 2024 20:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Mikel Merino has admitted that he was “seduced” by Arsenal ahead of his summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

The 28-year-old joined Mikel Arteta’s side from Real Sociedad for €32 million in August, with the Gunners quick to complete a deal for the Spain international following his impressive form at the 2024 European Championship.

Merino has made nine appearances for Arsenal since his summer switch to north London, but Martin Odegaard’s return to full fitness has raised questions over whether his involvement is set to diminish significantly over the next few weeks.

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However, Merino is enjoying life under Arteta and he has revealed two key reasons why he opted to join Arsenal, despite significant interest from a host of other top European clubs.

“I was seduced by the fact that it was a team in a process of growth, that they had not yet won, and they wanted to win,” Merino told El Pais (via Football.London). “Feeling a participant in building a winning culture, as happened to me at Real.

“And also, that they insisted that they could help me grow more. It will be a place where they will try to help you polish your defects and become that total player who can achieve more things on an individual level.”

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Arsenal have only won three trophies since Arteta’s arrival in 2019, while they haven’t triumphed in the Premier League since their Invincible season in 2003-04.

However, the Gunners have finished runners-up to Manchester City in both of the last two English top flight campaigns and they are one of the favourites to win the 2025 Champions League.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

Despite a slow start to life at Arsenal, Merino has been backed to succeed at the Emirates Stadium by his new boss Arteta.

In October, the Spaniard told reporters: “A player with an unbelievable football brain with a lot of leadership skills that has the right experience.

“He is going to give us so much but it is very difficult to judge because he got injured straight away and has only played certain parts of games but you’re going to see him grow and deliver big things for the team.”