AT Real Sociedad, Mikel Merino saw himself as a giant of a man.
But after joining Arsenal in the summer, the 6ft 2in Spanish midfielder feels like one of the smallest members of Mikel Arteta’s elite group of NBA-sized man mountains.
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Merino, 28, laughed: “It is crazy. I am in the corridors of the training ground just walking, and back at my old club I used to be one of the tallest, so everyone was smaller than me.
“Now, I look around and everyone is taller than me. We look like a basketball team.”
In their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday, the Gunners’ starting XI had NINE players above six foot — with just 5ft 8in duo Raheem Sterling and Leandro Trossard below that mark.
Heading that lofty line-up was the 6ft 4in duo of William Saliba and Kai Havertz, along with fellow giants Merino, David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel, Ben White, Declan Rice and Thomas Partey.
Since taking charge nearly five years ago, boss Arteta has made it his mission to assemble a squad not only with technical ability but powerful physiques to match, in their quest for Premier League three-pointers.
In the tunnel before kick-off, this net-busting Arsenal team are a frightening prospect for rivals, even more so from set-pieces with their slam-dunk corner routines striking fear into defenders.
But these big guys sure can shift, much like the Harlem Globetrotters covering the pitch with a stunning combination of bulk, brains and beauty.
SunSport even understands Arteta shows basketball clips to members of his team to encourage them to use their size more efficiently, creating space with clever movement.
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Merino continued: “Football now has changed and you need a strong team. Physicality is key and we need to be the most complete team possible.
“You need the physical aspect, technical aspect, the tactical one, you need to be a total team to achieve big things as we want to do.
“It is not only about being tall and big, you need mentality. If you are tall and big but don’t go with the 100 per cent intention to win the ball, it’s just nothing.
“Set-pieces are a big part of the game and you can win or lose a lot because of that.
“We train a lot and have the physical advantage. But the main thing is the mentality and we have that.”
Merino arrived in North London for £27.4million from Sociedad with a reputation for dominating duels, winning 326 last term — the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
But after making his first Prem start against the Cherries — having recovered from a freak shoulder injury suffered in his first training session back in August — Merino says he is much more than just a midfield bruiser.
He said: “That is one of the reasons I am here, because I can be a threat in the opposite box. That is something I need to work on to get better at. I have a high ceiling.
“Of course, goals are not the main thing for a midfielder but if you can provide them it is going to be a whole different thing for you as a player.
“I have admired a lot of players — Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Cesc Fabregas, Patrick Vieira — all-round midfielders that are box-to-box, can score, can defend, win duels.
“Of course, in Spain we had Xavi, Andres Iniesta and that mentality of keeping the ball, dominating through short passes.”
Merino is coming off the back of what he describes as “the best summer”, one that “changed my life”, having won the Euros with Spain before earning a career-defining Arsenal switch.
The Osasuna academy star scored an extra-time winner in the quarter- finals to dump hosts Germany out and played his part in the final to break English hearts.
Add that to a German Cup win with Borussia Dortmund, a Copa del Rey title with Sociedad and European triumphs with Spain’s Under-19s and Under-21s, it is clear Merino brings a winning mentality to a talented Arsenal group that are young and hungry — but lacking silverware.
It seems then there is no better man to have on your side when it comes to ending a 20-year Prem drought, as well as trying to win the Champions League for the first time.
Ahead of their league-phase clash with Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates, Merino explained: “I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of trophies in my career, I know the feeling.
“You cannot compare it with anything else. Knowing what this club is about and how big the Champions League is and winning trophies, winning the competition here would be amazing.
“The squad may not have the experience yet, it is a really young team, but luckily I have experiences of winning, when you have the moment of truth in the semis or final and to be able to keep that calmness.
“There is still a long way to go to achieve that but I think we have the basics, the players, the mentality, and that has to be the ultimate goal.”
Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth
By Alex Crook
TEN-MAN Arsenal suffered their first defeat of the season as brilliant Bournemouth dealt them a South Coast setback.
The Gunners travelled to face Andoni Iraola’s men having won five and drawn three of their opening eight matches this term.
But their task was made a tricky one when William Saliba was shown a red card on the half-hour.
Ryan Christie brilliantly fired the hosts into a deserved lead following a well-worked set piece routine 20 minutes from time.
Justin Kluivert then sealed his side’s incredible 2-0 victory from the penalty spot on 79 minutes.
Here’s how SunSport rated each Gunners performer on the day.
DAVID RAYA – 5
Was lucky to get away with one poor pass out from the back early on. Made amends for another error by saving smartly with the legs to deny Marcus Tavernier after initially spilling a Semenyo cross-cum-shot before clumsily conceding the penalty.
BEN WHITE – 4
England outcast was back in the team after four games out, but did not look 100 per cent fit and found it tough going containing the lively Antoine Semenyo down the Bournemouth left in the first half and Dango Ouattara in the second.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 3
Usually calm and collected under pressure but paid the price for a rare moment of panic when he hauled down Bournemouth striker Evanilson to get himself sent off and will miss next weekend’s crunch clash at home to title rivals Liverpool as a result.
GABRIEL – 5
Given the captain’s armband in the absence of the stricken Bukayo Saka, but not at his commanding best, especially after losing centre-back partner Saliba. Did not really step up to the leadership plate.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 6
Did a better job containing Semenyo when Bournemouth’s dangerman switched wings at half-time than White did in the first half, but unable to have his usual influence going forward.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Back in his traditional central midfield berth after being used as an emergency right back in the 3-1 win over Southampton. Was second best up against Bournemouth’s impressive Lewis Cook.
DECLAN RICE – 5
Another of Arsenal’s international contingent who looked sluggish after the break from domestic duty. Struggled to impose himself on the game in midfield and unable to get forward as much as he usually does. Did his bit dropping into the back-line after Saliba’s dismissal.
RAHEEM STERLING – 4
Former England man was deployed on the right wing in place of the injured Bukayo Saka and gave the ball away a few times when in promising positions before being sacrificed after the Saliba red card.
MIKEL MERINO – 5
Finally able to make his full Premier League debut after an injury-affected start to his Arsenal career and showed some nice touches. Also fired into the side-netting with the visitors’ best first half opening.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Started the game well but sold Saliba short with a poor back pass that led to the red card and disappeared from the action after that before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
KAI HAVERTZ – 5
The German cut an isolated figure up front, especially after Arsenal were reduced to ten men, but worked tirelessly for the team without ever looking like adding to his run of scoring in the previous four games in all competitions.
SUBSTITUTES
Jakub Kiwior (for Sterling, 37) – 4
Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 64) – 5
Gabriel Jesus (for Kiwior, 81) – N/A
Ethan Nwaneri (for Merino, 81) – N/A
