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Where Arsenal are planning to play Mikel Merino this season with two roles identified
Arsenal may have been made to wait but the Gunners have finally got their man over the line in Mikel Merino.
It is finally official, Arsenal have sealed the signing of Merino from Real Sociedad and he is ready to go in an Arsenal shirt.
Mikel Arteta has had to wait patiently alongside the Arsenal fans to see their second signing of the summer come through the doors.
But it will be a worthwhile one for the north Londoners with Merino available to make his Arsenal debut on the weekend against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Spain international impressed during this summer’s Euros but Arteta may have a new role in the midfield for the 28-year-old lined up.
- READ MORE: Arsenal already targeting signing number three with Mikel Merino set to be announced soon
Where Mikel Arteta could play Mikel Merino at Arsenal
The midfielder has now been through the doors at London Colney for a few days now with Merino completing his Arsenal medical over the weekend.
And the 28-year-old has been able to settle in already with Merino addressing his Arsenal teammates in a recent meeting.
But he is arriving at an Arsenal which is now stacked with quality midfielders so his position in the starting XI may well have to be adjusted to suit the Gunners’ system.
Speaking on his channel, Arsenal reporter Charles Watts has claimed Arteta feels Merino could even play in the holding midfield role.
“And the thing with him, you know, like any Arsenal signing now, you’ve got to be versatile,” said Watts.
“And as far as I’m aware, he’s been brought in in that for that left eight role. That’s where they see him being a big, big success.
“But they do believe he can play as a holding midfielder as well, if needed. Now, I don’t think he’s probably going to be needed in that role, because they’ve got Jorginho there. You’ve got Thomas Partey there. He’s obviously holding that role down now.
“But then you’ve also got Declan Rice. Who, once Merino embeds himself into the team, I think Declan Rice will then move back to play as the number six. So when you’ve got those type of options, I don’t really see Merino having to play that role. But Arsenal do believe he can play that role, as well.”
Arsenal have really added strength in depth with Mikel Merino
As Watts has suggested, Arsenal are bringing in a seriously versatile option in Merino this summer.
And that is something which will be seriously important to the Gunners over the course of the season with injuries having riddled the likes of Thomas Partey.
What is now interesting is whether Arsenal will look to make another signing in the market with just hours remaining until Friday’s deadline.
It has been claimed Arsenal could look to sign a new forward, but again, Arteta is looking to bring in a versatile player who could bolster the whole of the front line.