Mikel Merino targets Premier League and Champions League double with ‘humble’ Arsenal – ‘We don’t fear anyone’

Merino was employed as a striker last season due to an injury crisis, having arrived as a midfielder in the summer of 2024 from Real Sociedad.

Having proven both his versatility and his eye for goal for Mikel Arteta’s men, the 29-year-old explained how he has found the change of position for some of the club’s biggest games.

He told pundit Owen Hargreaves on TNT Sports: “It’s been great. It’s been an adventure. So far, so good. It’s been amazing to try this new position for me. It happened last season, out of the blue, due to injuries I had to be the one that stepped up and played as a striker.

“At the beginning I was doubting if I could do that role. But I think it’s something that I have in me, to know how to (play) in different positions. I don’t see myself as a midfielder, a striker, or a certain position . I just try to be on the pitch and be a footballer, and do the right things.”

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Asked if his success had been due to Arteta’s insight into his ability, or through his own application, the Spaniard said it was both his efforts and the assistance from the coaching set up.

“I think it’s a mix,” Merino answered. “Mikel saw that potential in me, and I’m the kind of player who wants to learn, who wants to adapt, who wants to get better every single day.

“From the moment they told me I was going to be playing striker, I was already asking questions. They are really good at providing those answers, and whatever you need, and they are ready to help you.”

“Our mentality is that we don’t fear anyone, but we respect every opponent. That’s a good mentality. We are humble. There is a long way to go.

“At the same time, we are confident. We have a strong squad. We have an amazing stadium, we have amazing fans. We only focus on the next game, and focusing on that, I think only good things will happen, for sure.”

‘Trying to become better every day’

Timber said that by playing for a prominent club such as Arsenal, praise is quick to come if you do well, but suggested that critics are also swift to point out any flaws.

Timber explained: “If you play for a big club like Arsenal, if you play some good games, people will start to talk about you quickly. Also, as a team, I think we’re playing really well. If you play well, people start talking about if you’re the best.

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“Also, every week it changes. One week you’re the best, the next week you’re overrated. That’s just football. Also, it says something about this team and the standards at the moment. If you play well, people talk about you really quick, which I think it’s a good thing to have.”

Asked about his improvement in the current season compared to the previous campaign, the 24-year-old Dutch international said it was important to constantly focus on which aspects of his game he could improve.

“It’s improving with every dual,” he said. “Every game you think, OK, what can I do better? Just being aggressive, being  ready to compete. Win your duals.

“It’s a habit of just trying to become better every day. I do (have licence to go in the opposition penalty area) but it’s also the fact of just trying to improve your game.

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“You look back at your games last year. You always look back at the games before, and you just want to do more for the team and attacking-wise, I can.

“I feel I still think there’s a lot to improve. But if you look at the stats, there’s a lot that is going better, which is a good thing. I think the team allows me to do more attacking, and the manager gives me trust there as well.”