Barcelona manager Hansi Flick may have just delivered some positive transfer news for Arsenal

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In the past, Arsenal’s frustrations towards Barcelona have been because of the Catalan side’s tendency to poach their best players.

In 2007, Thierry Henry left north London for Barcelona after netting 226 goals for the club.

And in similarly heart-breaking fashion, Cesc Fabregas then chose to leave Arsenal to return to his boyhood side in the summer of 2011.

Thankfully, Arsenal are no longer a club fearful of losing their stars to their rivals, Mikel Arteta’s project now has sufficient financial muscle and ambition to win trophies.

That being said, Barcelona have proved a tough adversary for a different reason this summer, often competing with Arsenal for their key transfer targets.

Arteta made Nico Williams his number one target for Arsenal earlier this summer, only to then see Barcelona make a significant effort to sign the winger.

And whilst Williams has seemingly chosen to remain at Athletic Bilbao for another season, Barcelona have since rivalled Arsenal for Mikel Merino.

However, in that regard it now seems as Hansi Flick has delivered some good news for all associated with Arsenal.

Barcelona will no longer compete with Arsenal to sign midfielder Mikel Merino

Speaking via Fabrizio Romano, who shared his words on X, Flick has now declared that Barcelona won’t be signing a new midfielder this summer.

Arsenal are locked in negotiations for Merino right now, and news of Barca retracting any interest will surely help their cause.

Flick said Barcelona were ‘covered’ in midfield, saying several of his injured players will soon return, the likes of Frenkie De Jong and Pedri.

He stated: “We have several quality players in midfield, some of them are injured now but they will be back”.

“I think we are well covered in that position.”

An exciting update for Arsenal fans, as the club should now have a free-run at signing Merino.

In some respects, Merino can be Arsenal’s new Granit Xhaka – a left-footed number eight with the physical presence to dominate in the middle.

And although Joshua Kimmich once looked like the ideal Arsenal signing, Merino is very well-positioned to improve Arteta’s squad depth.