Alan Shearer explains why new Arsenal signing Mikel Merino flopped at Newcastle

Alan Shearer has urged Arsenal fans not to judge new signing Mikel Merino on his failed spell at Newcastle earlier in his career.

The Gunners confirmed the arrival of the Spain international earlier this week after they agreed a deal with Real Sociedad.

Merino made 17 Premier League appearances for Newcatle during the 2017/18 campaign but failed to settle in the north east.

The 28-year-old has since established a reputation as one of La Liga’s most consistent midfielders during six years with Real Sociedad and Shearer is confident the Euro 2024 winner will have a major impact at his new club.

He told Betfair: ‘Mikel Merino has joined Arsenal and although he didn’t set the place alight at Newcastle, there was never anything wrong with his attitude or anything else.

‘It was just ‘right club, wrong time’ and we never saw the best of him, so it was best he moved on.

‘He’s been brilliant for Real Sociedad and of course for Spain too, so you can see the attraction that Arsenal see in him, and he’ll be a good addition to their squad.

‘He will bolster their midfield in terms of getting from box-to-box and he’ll be a good signing for them.’

Arsenal have started the season impressively winning their first two games and it remains to be seen whether or not Merino will make his debut against Brighton on Saturday but he is raring to go if called upon.

He said: ‘I want to fight for every ball and this is something that I learnt when I was really young. Maybe you can win it, or you won’t.

‘I’m not promising I will win every duel, but what I can promise is that I will fight for every ball with 100 per cent.

‘It’s always tough to talk about myself in those kinds of terms, but I think I’m a hard worker, I want to call myself a good teammate.

‘I like to work for the team with or without the ball. I’m always thinking about the collective aspect of the game. I like to play with the ball, I have a Spanish culture of football.’