Mikel Merino admits ‘amazing’ memories with one Arsenal player, they could now be ‘even better’ together

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Arsenal have completed another important signing having finalised the move to sign midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad.

Mikel Arteta has enjoyed a few productive few days.

Arsenal exorcised some demons from last season by beating Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park, with the help of an ‘unbelievable’ David Raya save.

The Gunners lost twice to Villa last season and Saturday’s win will only leave Arsenal fans excited about the side’s progress.

Arsenal have now added to that victory by securing a new signing with Mikel Merino completing his long-awaited move from Real Sociedad.

This one has been in the works for weeks now and Jamie Redknapp has praised Merino’s arrival, believing that Arsenal have added a ‘perfect’ player for the Premier League.

Mikel Merino excited by one Arsenal star

Merino arrives to really help Arsenal’s midfield and he looks to be an ideal fit on the left side of Arteta’s three-man engine room.

Arsenal haven’t quite found a natural successor to Granit Xhaka but Merino fits the bill as an experienced, left-footed midfielder with quality on the ball and physicality to boot.

Arsenal have paid around £27million for Merino, who was inside the final year of his deal at Real Sociedad.

The move also sees Merino reunite with Martin Odegaard having previously played together in San Sebastian.

Merino has now acknowledged that connection whilst speaking to Arsenal’s official website having completed his move on Tuesday.

Merino noted that he and Odegaard have exchanged messages ahead of his move to North London with Odegaard clearly delighted.

The Spain international admitted that it was ‘amazing’ to feature alongside Odegaard in La Liga and hopes the pair can form an even better connection at Arsenal.

If Merino and Odegaard click again, Arsenal could cause some mayhem from midfield this season.

Merino even remembers specific passages of play alongside Odegaard and praised the Norwegian’s quality in midfield.

“Yes, we exchanged some messages a few days ago,” said Merino. “He told me he was really happy for me to take this next step in my life. It was amazing sharing the pitch with him back in the day. I have a lot of good memories of our connection and hopefully we can have an even better connection here.

“I remember a pretty good play we made against Osasuna away, where we had a one-two and it finished in a goal for us. But just in general, in every training, in every game I think we had a good connection. He’s a player who moves extremely well behind the back of the midfielders, and for us who play in a similar position, he made the job really easy for me,” he added.

Merino past comments on Martin Odegaard

Merino played 34 times alongside Odegaard during their time at Real Sociedad, losing just 10 times together.

The pair won 18 times though and will be looking to take that winning connection to Arsenal.

Merino has even praised Odegaard in the past having enjoyed playing alongside him with Real Sociedad.

The midfielder told Marca that that Odegaard is a ‘very eye-catching player’, even spotting his quality during the 2019-20 season.

“It’s normal that the spotlight is on him, because he’s on loan from Real Madrid. He’s a very eye-catching player, who’s having a very good start to the season. Having a player like him gives us a lot of life. I hope he continues to shine, because it will be good for Real,” said Merino.

Four years on since their last appearance together, Merino and Odegaard are back again – and ready to cause major problems in the Premier League.