Arsenal’s next signing Mikel Merino has already been rated alongside Rodri in one key area

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Arsenal are on the verge of another major summer signing as Mikel Arteta continues his charge for the Premier League title.

The Gunners came so close to winning the Premier League title last season but just came up short against Manchester City.

Arsenal are now making another push for top spot and have backed Mikel Arteta with a couple of summer deals.

David Raya made a stunning save against Wolves and justified Arsenal’s decision to turn his loan move from Brentford permanent.

Riccardo Calafiori is already being described as ‘amazing’ in Arsenal training after joining from Bologna.

These two deals certainly help Arsenal’s Premier League charge and one more signing now appears to be close.

Mikel Merino rated alongside Rodri ahead of Arsenal move

Arsenal have been chasing Mikel Merino for some time now and are finally set to sign the Real Sociedad midfielder.

Merino is set for an Arsenal medical with the Gunners agreeing a deal worth up to €37million (£31.5million) now agreed.

Merino, who helped Spain win Euro 2024, is now ready for another shot at Premier League success after a previous spell with Newcastle United.

The 28-year-old is an experienced and physical yet technically-gifted midfielder with a great left foot; it’s easy to see why Arsenal want him as a true heir to Granit Xhaka.

Merino is a major signing for Arsenal and if any Gunners fan needs any more reason to get excited, Spain boss Luis De La Fuente has already provided it.

Speaking to Marca during Euro 2024, De La Fuente picked our four players who have an incredible tactical understanding, standing out above their teammates.

De La Fuente named Merino as one of those players, alongside Dani Carvajal, Mikel Oyazarbal and, crucially, Manchester City star Rodri.

De La Fuente feels that all four players ‘quickly understand’ the tactical side of the game, something Arteta will absolutely love from Merino.

“For me, Carvajal, Rodri, Mikel Merino, Oyarzabal… are players who you tell things to and you see that they quickly understand what you are asking of them,” said De La Fuente. “I’m sure I’m leaving out a few more, but these are players who are already thinking about tactics,” he added.

Merino can help Arsenal v Rodri

Erling Haaland is a goal machine and Kevin De Bruyne is still capable of some unbelievable assists even if he has lost some pace.

Yet Manchester City’s key man is midfield metronome Rodri, a player who dictates the game for City.

Whenever Rodri is out of the team, Pep Guardiola’s side feel his absence enormously.

Arsenal took four points against City last season but if they can add another answer to Rodri then the Gunners may just take another step forward in the title race.

Merino is clearly viewed as a player who has a similar tactical understanding to Rodri and if he can click with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal may just have the midfield to cause Rodri some real problems moving forward.