In an exclusive interview following Arsenal’s impressive 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, new signing Mikel Merino revealed his astonishment at manager Mikel Arteta’s innovative training techniques. The Spanish midfielder, who made his long-awaited debut for the Gunners on Tuesday night, October 1st, 2024, after recovering from a shoulder injury, described Arteta’s methods as “completely new” and “amazing.”
Merino’s Arsenal career got off to an unfortunate start when he suffered a shoulder injury shortly after his summer transfer. However, the 28-year-old Spaniard has found a silver lining in this setback, viewing his time on the sidelines as an opportunity to immerse himself in Arteta’s unique footballing philosophy.
“It’s something that is amazing, to be honest with you,” Merino enthused, his eyes lighting up as he spoke about training under Arteta. “They do some things that I have never seen in my career. The methods they use are completely new to me, so obviously it takes some time to adapt.”
The former Real Sociedad midfielder went on to provide tantalizing glimpses into Arteta’s training regimen, while being careful not to divulge too many secrets. “I don’t want to tell everything that we do, but there is no rest between one moment and the other,” Merino explained. “They are always challenging you mentally with different stimuli. It makes you always all the time aware of what is happening around you.”
This constant mental engagement, according to Merino, is what sets Arteta’s methods apart. I think that when you get it, you are in a different level because they challenge you every single day – not only physically, but mentally. That makes you be sharp mentally, and that’s what you’re going to find out in the game.”
Arsenal’s performance against PSG on Tuesday night seemed to vindicate Arteta’s methods. The Gunners displayed a level of tactical awareness and mental sharpness that left their French opponents struggling to keep up.
Former Arsenal midfielder and pundit Jack Wilshere, who was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium, shared his observations: “You could see the effects of Arteta’s training in how quickly the team transitioned from defense to attack. The players seemed to be operating on instinct, always aware of their teammates’ positions. It’s a far cry from the Arsenal I played for.
The Spanish midfielder’s return to fitness couldn’t have come at a better time for Arsenal. The team has been grappling with midfield issues, particularly in the creative department, due to the absence of key player Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal fan and season ticket holder Sarah Thompson expressed her relief at seeing Merino in action: “With Odegaard out, we’ve been lacking that spark in midfield. Merino looked sharp when he came on against PSG. If he can bring some of that creativity we’ve been missing, it could be a game-changer for us.”
Merino’s availability also provides Arteta with more options for rotation, potentially easing the workload on players like Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Jorginho.
As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Southampton on Saturday, October 5th, at 3:00 PM BST, all eyes will be on Arteta’s team selection. Merino, having impressed in his 30-minute cameo against PSG, could be in line for his first start in an Arsenal shirt.
The match also marks a significant moment for another player, albeit one no longer wearing Arsenal colors. Aaron Ramsdale, who left the Gunners for Southampton in a surprising summer move, will return to the Emirates for the first time since his departure.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the media ahead of the Southampton clash: “We’re delighted to have Mikel [Merino] back and available for selection. As for Aaron [Ramsdale], he was a great servant to this club, and I’m sure he’ll receive a warm welcome from our fans.
Merino’s revelations about Arteta’s training methods offer a fascinating insight into the evolution of Arsenal under the Spanish manager. Since taking the reins in December 2019, Arteta has been steadily implementing his vision, with the team’s style of play becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Football analyst Emma Brown provides her perspective: “What we’re seeing at Arsenal is the culmination of years of work by Arteta. The team’s ability to adapt to different tactical situations mid-game, their pressing intensity, and their positional play all stem from these innovative training methods Merino is describing.
As Arsenal continues to push for domestic and European success, the integration of new signings like Merino into Arteta’s system will be crucial. If the midfielder’s enthusiasm is anything to go by, the Gunners’ faithful have plenty to be excited about in the coming months.
With each passing game, it becomes clearer that Mikel Arteta is not just building a team, but revolutionizing the very fabric of how football is played and prepared for at Arsenal. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the Emirates to see just how far this new, mentally sharp, and tactically fluid Arsenal can go.
