Report: What people within Arsenal are now thinking about signing Mikel Merino

Arsenal have been in the market for a new midfield player this summer as they look to bolster their squad ahead of another title challenge.

The Gunners have been linked with a number of midfield players this summer.

Bruno Guimaraes was named as an Arsenal target early in the window, while Martin Zubimendi is someone Arsenal have liked for a long time.

However, now it would appear that Arsenal’s top target is one of Zubimendi’s teammates.

Indeed, Mikel Merino has been named as Arsenal’s top transfer target, and people within Arsenal have a theory about how the Spaniard would get on if he were to join.

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What Arsenal chiefs think about signing Mikel Merino

According to GiveMeSport, higher-ups at Arsenal now believe that Merino would be a good fit for Mikel Arteta’s system.

As we’ve seen over the past two years, Arteta’s system is very intricate, particularly in the midfield, but the higher-ups at the Emirates believe Merino has what it takes to fit into Arteta’s plans.

Arsenal’s midfield has been in a state of flux for a little while now.

Granit Xhaka left last summer, and while Declan Rice did come in, that left-sided number eight role has been difficult to fill.

Kai Havertz was poor when he was playing in the midfield at the beginning of last season, and while Jorginho was fantastic towards the end of the campaign, he doesn’t necessarily play the same role that Xhaka once did.

Mikel Merino would be a gamble

Arsenal’s higher-ups believe that Merino would be a good addition, but there’s reason to be cautious about the Spaniard’s ability.

Indeed, if Merino were to join Arsenal, this wouldn’t be the first time he’s played in the Premier League.

You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Merino was once a Newcastle United player, and he didn’t take to Premier League football first time around.

Of course, as players such as Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne have shown, you shouldn’t necessarily judge someone on one poor spell in English football, but Merino’s stint at Newcastle does give reason to be wary about this transfer.

Merino wouldn’t necessarily be the slam dunk signing Arsenal expect him to be.