Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is ready to unleash summer signing Mikel Merino on the Premier League in the coming weeks.
The Gunners return to EPL action on October 19 as Arteta’s charges head to Bournemouth following the latest international break.
Despite prospect of injury issues, as star names return to the Emirates Stadium, Arteta is focusing on a positive in his midfield, ahead of a crunch run of fixtures.
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Captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with an ankle problem, with the Norwegian international not expected back until November, alongside concerns over Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, Merino has returned unscathed from his stint with Spain, including 90 minutes of action spread across wins over Denmrk and Serbia.
The 28-year-old suffered a bizarre shoulder injury in his first Arsenal training session in August and has been eased back into action since.
Cameos off the bench against Paris Saint-Germain and Southampton before the break have bolstered his fitness and Arteta could hand the Basque star a first Premier League start against the Cherries.
“He’s going to bring an unbelievable football brain. He’s so intelligent, the way he decides, occupies spaces, makes decisions, it’s very rare to see that”, he said as per reports from The Standard.
“He’s a really talented player in every phase – defending and attacking. He can do things that compliment really well with the qualities we have in midfield.
“[He will bring] physicality, for sure, and he’s a big threat. The moment he’s in the opposition box, you see he’s a big, big threat.”
Arteta has utilised goals from set pieces to great effect so far this season, with their last four Premier League games featuring a goal via a corner or an indirect free kick, and Merino’s aerial power will add another weapon to the Arsenal’s Arsenal.
