Mikel Merino makes five-word vow to excite Arsenal fans before Man Utd tie
Mikel Merino makes five-word vow to excite Arsenal fans before Man Utd tie
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Mikel Merino believes Arsenal fans are about to see the best of him – at a time when many players are feeling the strain of a packed calendar. Spain midfielder Merino was sidelined after fracturing a shoulder in his first training session following a summer move from Real Sociedad and did not debut until October. But five months into his time in north London, having previously spent a year at Newcastle, the 28-year-old believes he is hitting top shape after an injury-interrupted start.
“Everything is beginning to click,” he says before tomorrow’s third round tie against Manchester United. “I'm starting to understand everything perfectly. "I know the rhythms in the team. I'm starting to build a relationship with everyone at a deeper level, which needs time.”.
On the flip side, in a hectic January where Mikel Arteta’s team must play nine matches, he says finding a moment to not think about the day job is proving difficult. "It's tough when we have so many games, where physically you are exhausted,” he says. "You always have kicks or you have problems that make you think, ‘OK, I'm not in my best shape and I have to play again in two days.’.
“At the same time we as players have to try to manage it, try to find ways to disconnect ourselves. Because that's where you have the real recovery, right?. “You've to be obsessed with football, obviously, but you have to find your moments to disconnect too.”.
